| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Staten-Generaal / States General |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal / Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal / House of Representatives
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Senate |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, lost of confidence of the majority, dissolution of the Chamber, death |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the Chamber during the first meeting of the newly elected House
- after at least 38 Members' mandates are validated and Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
any Member may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- if nobody obtains an absolute majority in the second ballot, a 3rd ballot shall be held between the 2 candidates who obtained the largest number of votes |
| Procedures / results |
- the Speaker pro tempore presides over the Chamber during the voting
- a special committee of 4 Members supervises the voting
- the Speaker pro tempore announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State after the Head of State (the Queen)
- takes precedence over the Speaker of the Second Chamber
- represents the Chamber with the public authorities
- takes part in regular meetings with others Speakers of Parliaments of the European Union or of the Council of Europe
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the two Deputy-Speakers can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the College van Senioren is regulated by the Standing Orders of the House
- consists of the leaders of the political factions represented in the House, including the two Deputy Speakers - term is normally 4 years
- meets once a week
- is an advisory body, not a collegiate presidency |
| Material facilities |
- special allowance
- official car with a driver
- secretariat |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- sets the agenda of the House and consults the College of Senioren
- organizes the debates and is allowed to set speaking time
- delegates the examination of bills to one or more of the standing committees |
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- can make announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- 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, on advice of the Chamber
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates, together with the Clerk
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber according to precedents
- proposes to the House to give the floor outside the agenda |
| Special powers |
The Committee of Interior Affairs (whose chairman is the Speaker):
- is responsible for establishing the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- delegates the management to the Clerk
- represents the House abroad
- 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 |
- can take the floor in legislative debates, but in leaving his/her chair
- takes part in voting, as a Member of the House
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- is advisor to the Queen on Her request - is used to be consulted on the occasion of the formation of a new cabinet after a cabinet-crisis or after general elections |
