| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Vouli Antiprosopon / House of Representatives |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the House of Representatives |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: written resignation, conviction of an offence involving dishonesty or moral turpitude, being disqualified by a competent court for any electoral offence, holder of another public office - death |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the House at the first sitting after the elections, after members' mandates are validated and after they are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Member can be candidate, no formal notification is required |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by public ballot ( show of hands) - possibility of organizing several rounds, maximum 3
- for the 1st ballot, 50% + 1 of those present and voting is required - for the second, 40% - for the third, the candidate who receives the largest number of votes is elected |
| Procedures / results |
- the most senior Representative presides over the House during the voting
- the presiding officer supervises the voting
- the presiding officer announces the results without any delay
- the results may be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy after the President of the Republic, is the acting Head of State during the absence of the President of the Republic
- represents the House with the public authorities
- represents the House in international bodies
- may preside over any committee, is ex officio president of the Committee of Selection
- in the absence of the President of the House, the most senior Representative can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- salary (CY£ 15.318)
+ expense allowance
- official car
- secretariat + additional staff
- police protection |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time, within the limits of the Constitution and Rules of Procedure
- refers texts to a committee for study
- may propose the setting up of committees of enquiry |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- may make announcements concerning the House
- 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, in conformity with the Rules of Procedure
- 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, in conformity with the Rules of Procedure
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- may have discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- gives instructions for establishing the budget
- organizes the services of Parliament
Others powers :
- 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
- in practice, takes no part in voting, but may vote if so he/she so wishes
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
