From Iceland — Constitution Committee Seeks To End Corruption

Constitution Committee Seeks To End Corruption

Published May 20, 2011

The newly assembled Constitutional Committee has put forward a proposal that hopes to reduce political corruption by changing the powers different members of government are given.
Eyjan reports that the proposal suggests the creation of an independent parliamentary supervisory committee, which would overlook every aspect of the legislative process. This committee would also assess how members of parliament defended or fought for their own interests.
The proposal recommends as well that members of parliament not be allowed to have any other type of employment, either public or private, while in office. It also seeks to give the president of parliament greater powers, and that ministers cannot also be members of parliament.
While foreign groups such as Transparency International have depicted Iceland as a country with little to no corruption, there are still problems with regards to conflicts of interest and nepotism that need addressing. The results of last year’s National Assembly, among other suggestions, called for an end to this particular form of Icelandic corruption, and this new proposal is a reflection of that demand.

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