The Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation
Starting in 2020, the Riksdag is working with democratic development cooperation with one to two parliaments in the Eastern Partnership or in the Western Balkans. The main aim of this cooperation is to strengthen democratic institutions and convey democratic values. The first parliament the Riksdag cooperated with was the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia in 2020–2024.
A parliamentary steering group led by the Third and First Deputy Speakers and with representatives from all eight political parties represented in the Riksdag will lead the cooperation, which has been decided by the Riksdag Board. The cooperation concerns strengthening democratic institutions through mutual exchange focusing on exchange of experience between parliamentarians, relationship-building between parliaments, strengthened processes and administration.
Broad political participation
An important part of this cooperation is broad political participation from both parties in the cooperation. The cooperation focuses on what the Riksdag as an institution is able to contribute in relation to other actors working with issues relating to democratic development, in other words the role of parliaments and parliamentarians in a democracy as well as support to parliamentarians. Which specific part of parliamentary work the parties wish to focus on is decided jointly. It may be gender equality, the importance of representation and opposition, openness and transparency, parliamentary control or the legislative role of parliaments.
Activities are demand-driven
The Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation is demand-driven and takes place in different forms, both in the Riksdag and the parliaments of partner countries, with elements of study visits, presentations, seminars and meetings. The cooperation also covers technical assistance and transfer of know-how by officials, complementing other forms of parliamentary collaboration, and is funded with the Riksdag’s own resources.
Cooperation with North Macedonia first
The steering group for the Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation decided to first begin the cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of North Macedonia. Elections were held there during the summer of 2020, and after a government had been formed and the new parliament was convened, initial contacts were made, which resulted in a positive response, and our cooperation was started. In addition to a few online meetings during the pandemic, seven meetings were held as part of the formal cooperation, the last of which was held in January 2024.
The collaboration has built a relationship with another parliament, created networks and provided the opportunity for support and exchange of knowledge. It has primarily been in the form of an exchange of experience between parliamentarians and has focused on such things as a parliament being not only an arena for political conflict but mainly an arena for political responsibility. The collaboration has been much appreciated by both parties and it may be noted that it has helped promote progress in complex issues emanating from the fact that North Macedonia is a young democracy.
The Riksdag Board has taken a decision to begin new collaboration with a parliament in the Eastern Partnership or in the Western Balkans. The process for investigating the opportunities for new collaboration is in progress.
Parliamentary steering group
The steering group for the Riksdag’s democratic development cooperation consists of 10 members from all eight of the political parties represented in the Riksdag.
The Riksdag’s Steering Group for Bilateral Democratic Development Cooperation