| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Landtag / Diet |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Landtag |
| Term |
- Duration: 4 years (term of Chamber)
- Reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, loss of mandate as a member of the Chamber, dissolution of the Chamber, impeachment, conviction for illegal activities, death.
- The Speaker cannot be removed by members of the Chamber before the end of his/her mandate.
- In the case of a dissolution of the Chamber, the outgoing Speaker continues to act as Speaker. |
| Appointment |
- The Speaker is elected by members of the Chamber
- Election is held at the first session of the newly elected Chamber |
| Eligibility |
- Members of the Chamber (except for government ministers and deputy ministers)
- Former Speakers may seek re-election as Speaker |
| Voting system |
- There is no formal notification process for the candidate.
- The Speaker is elected by public ballot.
- A candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate is declared elected. |
| Procedures / results |
- The oldest member of the Chamber presides over the Chamber during the voting.
- The oldest member of the Chamber supervises over the Chamber during the voting.
- The oldest member announces the results.
- The result cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- The Speaker ranks second in the hierarchy of State.
- The Speaker may not act as the Head of State.
- In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker assumes his/her role and duties.
- The Speaker is ex officio Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs. |
| Board |
- The Speaker is assisted by the Bureau of the Diet (Landtagsbüro).
- The Board is elected for four years (term of Chamber)
- The Board is primarily an advisory body.
- The Board consists of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, two spokespersons of parliamentary groups (fraction speakers) and one Chamber Secretary.
- There are no seats reserved for opposition members. |
| Material facilities |
- The allowance granted to a member of the Chamber (CHF 20,000 a year). |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
The Speaker may:
- convene sessions
- establish and modify the agenda, i.e. the programme and schedule of work
- organize the debates and set speaking time
- refer a text to committee for study
- examine the admissibility of request for setting up committees of enquiry
- propose the setting up committees of enquiry
- decide the setting up committees of enquiry
- group amendments for debate and voting purposes
- decide the admissibility of bills and amendments
- give directives for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- propose bills or amendments
The Board may:
- convene sessions
- establish and modify the agenda, i.e. the programme and time-table of work
- refer a text to committee for study
- examine the admissibility of request for setting up committees of enquiry
- propose the setting up committees of enquiry
- decide the setting up committees of enquiry
- group amendments for debate and voting purposes
- decide the admissibility of bills and amendments
- give directives for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- propose bills or amendments |
| Chairing of public sittings |
The Speaker may:
- open, adjourn and close sittings
- interpret the rules or other regulations governing the functioning of the Chamber
- ensure respect for provisions of the Constitution and the Standing Orders
- make announcements concerning the Chamber
- take disciplinary measures in the event of a disturbance and lift such measures
- establish the list of speakers
- give and withdraw permission to speak
- select which amendments are to be debated
- establish the order in which amendments are taken up
- call for a vote
- decide how a vote will be carried out
- verify the voting procedure
- check the quorum
- cancel a vote in the event of irregularities
- authenticate the adopted texts and the records of debates
- give the floor outside the agenda and thus organize impromptu debates
The Board may:
- interpret the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber
- select which amendments are to be debated
- establish the order in which amendments are taken up |
| Special powers |
The Speaker may:
- establish the budget for the Chamber
- participate in establishing the Chamber's budget
- appoint the Secretary General
- be consulted in the designation of the Secretary General
- organizes the services of the parliament
- be consulted in the event of a dissolution of the Chamber
- be consulted in the appointment of the Prime Minister
The Board may:
- establish the budget for the Chamber
- participate in establishing the Chamber's budget
- organizes the services of the parliament
- be consulted in the event of a dissolution of the Chamber
- be consulted in the appointment of the Prime Minister |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
The Speaker may:
- take the floor in legislative debates
- take part in voting |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
