San Marino prepares parliamentary reforms to protect minority rights

The Grand and General Council of San Marino is preparing to vote on an organic revision of Qualified Law no. 3/2018, which governs the functioning of the Assembly. The proposed package of amendments aims to redesign the timing and methods of legislative discussion while introducing new protections for political minorities.

Key changes include a new procedure for voting on amendments, requiring the Secretariat to alternate between proposals from the government/majority and those from the opposition to ensure minority voices are not systematically sidelined. Additionally, a new provision allows at least three members of a Permanent Council Commission to request direct radio broadcasting of sessions or specific topics of institutional or social relevance.

To ensure continuity for all groups, the reform introduces the figure of the substitute member in Permanent Council Commissions. This allows every represented group or list to designate a substitute with the same voting prerogatives as the effective member, a measure intended to protect smaller groups when their primary representative is absent.