Unemployment, lack of services, and a healthcare system at the brink of collapse are just some of the issues that Iraq is facing. With an unresponsive government being a catalyst for increased frustration among citizens, Members of Parliament (MPs) across Iraq’s provinces play a critical role in shifting public perception and demonstrating to their constituencies their ability to respond to citizen’s needs.

The National Democratic Institute (NDI) conducted national public opinion research to understand the main concerns of Solomon Islanders, including their awareness of public policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic and attitudes toward vaccines.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the work of legislatures worldwide. As these institutions coped with measures intended to curb the spread of the virus, such as lockdowns and social distancing, they were met with new and unique challenges in fulfilling their constitutional mandates. During this time, the role of parliaments to hold governments accountable, pass effective legislation, and fulfill representative responsibilities became more important, because business as usual was disrupted on a scale rarely seen.  

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for government transparency, accountability and citizen engagement. In response, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador have adopted open parliament plans and regulations that focus on increasing transparency and access to information; accountability; citizen participation; and ethics and probity.  

On May 1, just a few hours after opening its first session, El Salvador’s newly elected legislature summarily dismissed and reappointed a new attorney general and all five judges in the Supreme Court’s constitutional chamber.