The role of the Senate needs to be reconsidered because the Senate has never been so politicized before. This is what philosophy professor and former PS member of parliament Ronald van Raak says. According to Van Raak, the Senate, which will be installed today, is concerned with the quality of legislation, enforceability and legality, but that task is undermined because it has become a political forum.
Van Raak notes that Senate discussions in recent months have always revolved around the coalition deal. “Can the cabinet continue to govern?” In reality, says Van Raak, the coalition agreement belongs to the House of Representatives and the senators are not bound by it on paper.
It is the job of the Senate to examine the quality of legislation, its feasibility and legality. Van Raak points out the danger of the Senate becoming a duplicate of the House of Representatives and thus effectively superfluous. ‘The Senate has become a fully political body and is primarily concerned with the coalition agreement. And that’s not what the Senate is for.”
Recalibration
Van Raak thinks it’s good to reflect on the Senate’s position, because he doesn’t believe the Senate will be able to de-politicize itself in the next few years. The Remkes State Commission has previously considered the issue and has proposed that the Senate review the quality of the legislation, but not give the Senate the final say. That decision should go back to the House of Representatives.
‘The Senate has become a fully political body and is primarily concerned with the coalition agreement. And that’s not what the Senate is for.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
