| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Assemblée nationale / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Sénat / Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Chambre des Députés / Chamber of Deputies
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Senate |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (can be re-elected)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Senators at the first sitting of the ordinary session following the partial renewal (1/3) of the Senate
- following validation of mandates
- after Senators are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Senator can be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority in the first round, relative majority in the second round, in the event of a tie in the second round : the oldest Senator is elected
|
| Procedures / results |
- the eldest Senator presides over the Senate during the voting
- the eldest Senator announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- in the absence of the President, the Vice President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- consists of the President, a Vice President, a Queastor and two Secretaries
- should be composed in such a way to reflect the political composition of the Senate
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- presides over the Conference of Presidents which, in liaison with the Government, prepares the programme and the timetable of work
- convenes sessions within the framework of the Conference of the Presidents
- establishes and modifies the agenda within the framework of the Conference of Presidents
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak, in connection with the organisation of the debates laid down by the Conference of Presidents
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
The Board is responsible with regard to :
* the regulation of the proceedings of the Senate
|
| Special powers |
- sign the annual budget (jointly with the Queastor)
- sign (jointly with the Queastor) appointments and dismissals of members of the administrative staff
- the Board is responsible with regards to :
* the organisation, the running and the supervising of the department and administration staff at the Senate
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Senate |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes part in voting, only in the event of a tie |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
