| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Congreso de la nación / National Congress |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Cámara de Diputados / Chamber of Deputies |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senado / Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Chamber of Deputies |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (the expiry date coincides with the Preparatory Session), may be reelected
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, dissolution of Parliament, death |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the House on November 29th (Preparatory Session)
- after Members' mandates are validated and Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of the House may be a candidate and notification is required |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by public ballot (orally) in only one round
- absolute majority is required |
| Procedures / results |
- previous period authorities preside the Preparatory Session in order to elect the new authorities
- authorities in charge of the Preparatory Session supervise the voting
- the Parliamentary Secretary announces the results without delay
- no challenge is possible |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierarchy of State after the Head of State and the President of the Senate
- the President of the Senate precedes the President of the Chamber of Deputies and he/her presides over joint sittings of both Chambers
- represents the House with the public authorities or in official ceremonies
- may represent the House in international bodies and conferences
- in the absence of the President, the 1st and 2nd Deputy Presidents assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- monthly allowance paid by Public Treasure, as other Senators or Deputies |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda throughout the Parliamentary Affairs Plenary
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of request for setting up committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- calls for a vote, decides how it is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules of other regulations governing the life of the Chamber
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- is responsible for establishing the Chamber's budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- organizes only certain services of the Chamber
- 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 Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- proposes bills or amendments, only as Deputy
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- refers laws to the Executive Power to be promulgated
- ensures the constitutionality of laws by checking and controlling the fulfillment of its provisions
- may be consulted in certain circumstances |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
