VP_A5 brochure ENG_Versie_0521_DRUK

The Flemish Parliament,
a forum of our democracy
1. What is
democracy?
The word democracy
comes from Greek and
means “the power of the
people”. This means that
the citizens decide themselves
how their society
works. Parliamentary
democracy means that
every adult citizen
designates representatives.
These MPs then make policy
decisions in a state or
federated entity over
the course of several years.
Debate
Parliament consequently represents a
multitude of opinions. A real democracy welcomes
differences of opinion and
critical voices. Parliament is the preferred place
for political debate.
Decision
Once the time for debate is over, parliament has
to make a decision. The objective is
to establish the broadest possible support,
or a majority for a decision. A proposal is only
enacted (in Flanders laws are called
decrees) when a majority has approved
the proposal.
Minority
For every majority there is a minority.
This minority has the right, or duty even,
to voice its criticism. It constitutes the opposition.
Pluralism, differences of
opinion and conflicts are all part of a
functioning democracy. But everyone has to
adhere to what the majority has ratified in parliament.
This is how it works in theory. But how does the
Flemish Parliament put this into practice? Who
is represented in Flanders’ forum of democracy
following the elections? How does parliament
work? What are its tasks? And how are the tasks
divided between parliament and the government?
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