Fremsættelse

Fremsættelse is the formal act of presenting a legislative proposal to a parliamentary body, initiating the legislative procedure. In a parliamentary system, it typically refers to the submission of a bill or major proposal to the legislature by the government or by a member of parliament. The term emphasizes the act of putting a proposal forward for debate and decision.

In Denmark, fremsættelse commonly concerns lovforslag, which can be either government bills (regeringsforslag or regeringsfremsættelse) or private member bills (folketingsmedlemmers fremsættelse). The government or the submitting member bears responsibility for presenting the proposal to the Folketing, outlining its purpose, scope, and proposed legal changes. The act of fremsættelse is followed by procedural steps in the parliament, such as assignment to the relevant committee and subsequent readings and debates.

Procedurally, after fremsættelse the bill is examined in detail by committees, which may hold hearings and propose amendments. The proposal then proceeds through readings in the plenary session, where further debate and votes determine whether it will be adopted, rejected, or amended. Time limits, scheduling, and parliamentary rules govern the pace and manner of the process. The term can also apply to other formal legislative proposals or motions presented to the house for consideration.

Fremsættelse thus marks the formal entry of a proposal into the legislative arena, signaling the start of authorized debate, amendment, and decision within the parliament. It is a central concept in understanding how laws are initiated and advanced in Danish parliamentary practice, and its exact procedures may vary slightly between jurisdictions with similar systems.