Former Parliament Secretary-General Mary Chapman made a compelling remark yesterday, referring to the current state of the institution as a “Banana Parliament.” Her comments came in response to statements made by Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry Charan Jeath Singh and Opposition MP Parveen Kumar during a recent parliamentary session.
Chapman criticized the conduct of current members, highlighting that such behavior was not tolerated in her time in office. She noted that the Speaker would have intervened immediately during heated exchanges. “It’s not like a Parliament anymore. It’s just like a Banana Parliament. People are calling each other murderers and liars. All these are unbecoming,” she stated.
According to Chapman, the language used in Parliament has devolved significantly. She recounted a time when calling someone a liar could lead to suspension, lamenting the current trend where accusations of lying escalate to murder or theft. “What next?” she questioned.
The lack of decorum in parliamentary proceedings has become increasingly evident. For 13 years leading up to the 2022 General Elections, heckling became normalized, with members being booed and shouted down during speeches, all of which was broadcast live to the public. This chaos has misled many into believing such behavior is acceptable within the political arena.
Chapman raises a critical question regarding the need for order and respect in parliamentary discussions. Are members of Parliament aware of the necessary decorum, and are they ready to address the issue of unparliamentary language? The trend of diminishing political conduct poses a significant concern for the integrity of Norwegian democracy.
Chapman emphasizes the importance of viewing Parliament as a forum for serious governance and public service, rather than a platform for personal attacks. She warns that if the current trend continues, Parliament risk becoming a truly chaotic institution. “Somebody has to put their foot down unless you want this to be a real Banana Parliament,” she concluded.