| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Asamblea Legislativa / Legislative Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Legislative Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (expires on 30 April of each year)
- reasons for interruption of the term: death, resignation, illness
|
| Appointment |
- election by all Members
- elections are held every 1st of May, following validation of mandates and before swearing-in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Members which belong to the majority may be candidates
- formal notification of candidature is made on the day of the election
|
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- vote by simple majority
|
| Procedures / results |
- the outgoing President (or ad hoc provisional President if it is the first legislature) presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the members of the outgoing Board, with the help of the leaders of the parliamentary groups, supervise the voting
- the first Secretary counts the votes and the outgoing President announces the results without delay
- the results can be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierarchy of the State after the Head of State and his Vice-Presidents
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- presides ex officio over parliamentary committees
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- consists of the President, the Vice-President, 2 secretaries, 2 deputy secretaries, elected for 1 year
- meets weekly at the request of the President
- assists and advices the President. In some cases, may be a collegial presidency
|
| Material facilities |
- allowance fixed by law
- official car
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- may refer texts to a committee for study, with the agreement of the leaders of the parliamentary groups, in principle, however, this is handled by the Secretary General
- appoints the members of committees and/or committees of inquiry
The Secretary General examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
|
| 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
- verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly |
| Special powers |
- is responsible for establishing the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff, together with the Legislative Board
- appoints the Clerk, together with the Legislative Board
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments and can delegate this function to the Chairman of the standing Committee on Foreign Affairs
- 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
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- approves and signs laws
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
