English Abstract
Abstract :
In light of its keenness and progressive nature, the Bahraini Legislator adopted the same comparative legislation in the terms of parliamentary control. It precisely stipulated the medium of general discussion requests in the most preeminent legislative instrument in the legal system of the Kingdom of Bahrain, viz., the Constitution, whilst outlining their detailed provisions in the Ordinary Legislation.
The fundamental aim on which the present research paper was conducted is addressing the medium of general discussion requests. Thus, an introductory chapter was systematically included in order to clarify the concept of parliamentary control in its broadest sense and how the Parliament can exercise this control over government action. Subsequently, the research discussed the mediums whereby the Parliament controls the Executive Branch's work in the Kingdom and shed light on its breadth and scope.
Furthermore, the research paper particularly took as its main focal point the medium of general discussion requests. Therefore, it tackled the subject from three areas, namely: defining and explaining the subject; exploring its legal framework; and taking into account the effects and factors that may influence this medium of control.
In the wider context of what it is and its legal characterization, general discussion requests are a peaceful medium of control used by members of the Council of Representatives to exchange views and elucidate the policy adopted by the government on a particular subject matter that the Parliament needs to review and discuss. However, it has, by and large, a variety of aspects that differentiate it from all
other mediums of control.
In view of its legal framework and legislative regulation, the Bahraini Legislator mentioned this medium in the Constitution and dedicated an entire section in the statute, delineating its provisions and conditions, given that it requires formal and objective conditions. Moreover, the Bahraini Legislator outlined the regulation of those controls in respect of the way the discussion should be held.
In terms of their effects and implications, it can be observed that general discussion requests do not engender the political responsibility of solidarity or individual. Nonetheless, it is safe to infer that it may contribute to the Council in believing in the inevitable necessity of using another medium on the basis of the general discussion's outcomes.
In spite of the fact that this non-confrontational medium of control has a significant and notable effect in the Council discourse, it is subject to a number of factors that may adversely affect its proper control function. There is a whole range of external factors that can be observed, e.g., the relationship between the Council and the government; the negative role of some members; and the weight of partisanship influence on this very medium, along with some legislative texts that may impede it. Furthermore, there are internal factors that may impinge on the aforementioned medium, e.g., factors related to information that the Executive has and the whole problematic debate about keeping it under lock and key; and the role of the electoral system and its consequential implications for the control system as a whole, and the general discussion requests in particular.
