South-East Europe Parliamentary Oversight Conference
When
Where
Organized by
The South-East Europe Conference on Parliamentary Oversight will bring together Members of OSCE missions, Parliaments and senior parliamentary staff to exchange experiences, learn from experts’ analysis, share emerging good practices, and explore avenues for strengthening oversight mechanisms.
Building on ODIHR’s study Parliamentary Oversight of the Executive in the OSCE Region (2025) and other tools, the event will showcase how parliaments employ instruments such as motions of no confidence, interpellations, and inquiry committees. Participants will also reflect on procedural and institutional challenges, including follow-up to committee findings, the role of opposition, and the integration of gender-sensitive practices.
Background
Effective parliamentary oversight is central to maintaining the balance of power in a democracy, ensuring that governments remain accountable to the people they serve. Yet, recent global and regional trends point to significant risks: declining effectiveness of legislatures, executive dominance during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and asymmetries that limit opposition or individual MPs' ability to exercise scrutiny. In South-East Europe, although oversight instruments exist, their use and impact are often constrained by political and institutional barriers. By providing a structured space for reflection and peer learning, the conference will help parliaments identify practical reforms and approaches that increase transparency, strengthen integrity standards, and make oversight more inclusive. In doing so, it directly supports the OSCE’s core commitments on democratic governance and responds to a pressing need for renewed trust in institutions through effective checks and balances.
Contact
For further information, please reach out to Quentin Rumeau, Associate Democratic Governance Officer, quentin.rumeau@odihr.pl