| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of Parliament |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (election of the Speaker takes place at the first sitting following the general elections during the first year of the legislature and thereafter every year in February, one day before the opening session of the Eduskunta)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of Parliament
- the election is held every year at the first sitting of the year
- after members' mandates have been validated |
| Eligibility |
- any Member of Parliament may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- an absolute majority is required for the first two rounds; the candidate who has obtained the largest number of votes is elected in the third round. In case of a tie, lots are drawn
|
| Procedures / results |
- the senior Member presides over Parliament during the voting
- the senior Member supervises the voting
- the senior Member announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of the State
- represents Parliament with the authorities
- is ex officio Chairperson of the Speaker's Council and the Parliamentary Offices Committee
- represents Parliament in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy Speakers can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
- the Speaker's Council consists of the Speaker, the two Deputy Speakers and the chairpersons of the 14 parliamentary committees
- his/her term is one year
- generally meets 1/2 hour before plenary sittings
- is only responsible for assisting and supporting the Speaker
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- has made recommendations to set speaking time
- refers texts to a committee for study
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning Parliament, sometimes aided by the Clerk
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of Parliament
- has discretionary power to give the floor to an MP outside the agenda only during Question Hour
|
| Special powers |
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Office Committee
- can play an important role in the organization of the services of Parliament
- may be responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in Parliament
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- signs laws before transmitting them to the Head of State for enactment
- may refuse to take up or put a matter to a vote; in such cases, the matter can be referred to the Constitutional Committee for resolution
- must be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.)
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
