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Parliamentary questions in belgium: Testing for party discipline

Abstract:

This contribution seeks to explain the numbers of written questions in the Belgian House of Representatives (1995-2007). Important variations over time, party and coalition formula have been observed and 'classic' explanations - such as the size of the parliamentary party group, the linguistic group or the majority vs. opposition status of the party -only partly explain these observed variations. It is argued here that parliamentary party group unity and discipline is an important factor in shaping patterns of questioning. The findings of the statistical analysis confirm that disciplined and cohesive parties are more active in questioning the government than other parties. © 2011 Taylor & Francis.