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MALTA
Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati (House of Representatives)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENT

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Il-Kamra Tad-Deputati / House of Representatives
Structure of parliament Unicameral
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title Speaker of the House of Representatives
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House);
- reasons for interruption of the term, in the case of a Speaker elected from among the Members of the Parliament: if he ceases to be a Member, if he is appointed Minister or Parliamentary Secretary, or in case of resignation, dissolution of Parliament, and death
- reasons for interruption of the term in the case of a Speaker elected from among persons who are not Members of the Parliament: if for any reasons he is disqualified for the elections of the House of Representatives, if he is considerated as mentally disabled by a court, if he is serving a sentence of imprisonment exceeding 12 months, if he is disqualified for registration as a voter because he has been convicted of an offence connected with the election of the Members of the Parliament, or in case of resignation, dissolution of the Parliament and death
Appointment - elected by all Members of the House
- election is held when the new House first meets after the general elections, or after the resignation of the Speaker
- after Members' mandates are validated and before Members are sworn in
Eligibility - Any member of the House of Representatives (who is neither a Minister nor a Parliamentary Secretary) and persons who are not members but who qualify for the election may stand as a candidate
- In cases where the person elected as Speaker is not a member of the House, he/she shall become a member of the House ex officio. However, the Speaker shall not be treated as a member of the House for purposes of establishing the number of votes required to support a bill on constitutional amendments.
Voting system - formal vote by public ballot
- one round
- simple majority
Procedures / results - the Clerk presides over the House during the voting
- the Clerk supervises the voting
- the Clerk announces the results without any delay
- the results can be challenged
STATUS
Status - ranks fifth in the hierarchy of State after the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop, the Chief Justice
- represents the House with the public authorities
- represents the House in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities - salary (similar to a Minister's salary)
- official car and driver
- private secretary
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions in exceptional circumstances with the Deputy Speaker
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments with the Deputy Speaker
Chairing of public sittings In collaboration with the Deputy Speaker:
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the House
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- decides how the vote is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the House
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates
Special powers - in practice, approves the House's budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible with the Deputy Speaker for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the House

Participation:
- takes part in voting if a casting vote is necessary
- guarantees the democratic process throughout the succeeding stages and signs every act before sending it to the President of the Republic for his assent
- oversees that the procedures and rules mentioned specifically in the Constitution are followed
Speaking and voting rights, other functions

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