Enacting legislation

Parliament's most important task, enacting legislation, takes place in plenary session. Parliament can enact legislation on the basis of a government proposal, a Member's motion or a citizens' initiative.

Most legislation is based on government proposals, which average about 250 a year. It generally takes 2-4 months to consider a proposal, but major legislative projects can take years. Legislative proposals that have not been considered by the end of the electoral term are allowed to lapse.