key findings of grayling actrend report 2014
DESCRIPTION
Grayling AcTrend Report was prepared by Grayling Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)’s Public Affairs Practice Group and examined laws passed in six CEE countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) between 1 August 2013 and 1 August 2014. The study also provides an overview on the political environment and outlook of governments’ activities across the region. For the full report, please visit www.grayling.comTRANSCRIPT
THE MOST ACTIVE LAWMAKERS: ROMANIA, POLAND AND HUNGARY
891
ACTS WERE APPROVED OVER THE COURSE OF THE 12 MONTH PERIOD
112
94
153
178
257
97
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Hungary
Poland
Romania
Slovakia In Romania a significant proportion of the acts were related to interna-tional treaties
HUNGARY AND BULGARIA LEAD THE PUBLICITY 'CONTEST’
20.7%
OF THE LAWS GENERATED SIGNIFICANT MEDIACOVERAGE
43%
19%
44%
11% 9% 8%
Bulgaria Czech Republic
Hungary Poland Romania Slovakia
The Hungarian government, with its two thirds majority, introduced several ‘unorthodox’ measures and the debates related to various legislative initiatives were covered continuously by the media.
In Bulgaria, the cabinet and Parliament were both running at less than 20% public approval ratings for most of their term in power, which is why a very high number of bills and acts were criticized and became the focus of media scrutiny.
THE FINANCIAL SERVICES SECTOR FACED
THE MOST NEW REGULATIONS IN CEE
43%
OF THE APPROVED ACTS (386 OUT OF 891) HAD A DIRECT IMPACT ON BUSINESS
Agriculture; 34; 11%
Energy; 33; 11%
Financial services;
93; 30%
General business;
120; 38%
Healthcare; 23; 7%
ICT; 10; 3%
19% OF ACTS WITH AN IMPACT ON BUSINESS WERE SUBMITTED BY MPS
#2
#1
#3
#4
28%
5%
27%
19%
14%
17%
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Hungary
Poland
Romania
Slovakia
Proportion of acts submitted by MPs
In Bulgaria, the Parliament is the supreme institution in power. Sometimes the cabinet is dominant, but not in the case of the resigned government of PM Plamen Oresharski, in office between May 2013 and August 2014. During this period, the most important legislative proposals were produced and proposed by MPs.
In Hungary, in certain cases the government prefers to avoid discussion on its proposals prior to the parliamentary phase. To avoid public and industry level debate, the bill is introduced by an MP instead of the government. In this case, it is not mandatory to liaise with interest groups and other stakeholders. Sensitive issues (e.g. the Advertising Act) are therefore usually proposed this way.
20% OF ACTS WITH AN IMPACT ON BUSINESS WERE APPROVED THROUGH
AN EXTRAORDINARY PROCEDURE
#5
0% 2% 8%
2%
62%
11%
Bulgaria Czech
Republic
Hungary Poland Romania Slovakia
In Romania the Government Emergency Ordinance procedure has become general practice, because it ensures a swift implementation of new provisions. However, this had negative consequences for the quality of the decision making process: limited public consultation, if any, led to the adoption of ineffective laws.
About Grayling AcTrend Report 2014 This report was prepared by Grayling Central & Eastern Europe (CEE)’s Public Affairs Practice Group and examines laws passed in six CEE countries (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) between 1 August 2013 and 1 August 2014. Grayling's Public Affairs teams used publicly available data (mainly Parliamentary websites) for the research and the report covers acts of Parliament only. In terms of media coverage, Grayling’s teams did not make a quantitative analysis of the coverage generated by each piece of legislation; if an article focusing on the act in question appeared in one of the most respected and/or widely-read media titles, it was categorised as an act which generated “significant” media coverage. For the full report, please visit grayling.com For more information please contact [email protected]
GRAYLING
AcTrend
THE KEY FINDINGS