If they were unaware of it before, the recent hoopla about the cuts that were made to the 2012 budget by the opposition has certainly enlightened the citizenry as to the limitations on the role of the National Assembly in the budget process. The post-November 2011 dispensation, however, now gives us the opportunity to make changes that will allow future parliaments, even of a majoritarian nature, to make a more meaningful contribution.
Much of what I will present in this article was taken from the International Monetary Fund 2010 study “Role of the Legislature in Budget Processes” by Ian Lienert, which I mentioned last week as seeking to establish applicable international best practices. We should keep in mind
