| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Barlaman / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Al-Majlis Al-Chaabi Al-Watani / National People's Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Majlis al-Oumma / Council of the Nation
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National People's Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members
- at the beginning of the legislature
- following validation of mandates and swearing-in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member must formally be a candidate
- notification of candidature prior to voting |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot, by a show of hands or by consensus
- absolute majority in the first round, simple majority in the second |
| Procedures / results |
- the President of the Board who is the most senior in age presides over the Assembly during the voting, assisted by the two youngest members
- the Provisional Board and any member interested supervise the voting
- the Provisional Board announces the results without delay
- the results may be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- presides over the Board
- in the absence of the President, a Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- consists of six Vice-Presidents elected for one-year terms and eligible for re-election
- meets weekly
- is a true collegial presidency |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
- expense allowance
- official residence
- official car
- secretariat and staff
- bodyguards |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda, within the framework of the Board
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- appoints the Clerk
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
The Board:
- organizes the services of Parliament
- establishes the Assembly's budget
- plays a specific role in the supervision of foreign affairs and defence
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight process
- transmits the texts adopted to the Head of State for promulgation
- can seize the Constitutional Council with regard to the supervision of the constitutionality of laws
- must be consulted in the event of dissolution. |
