| Parliament name |
- |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Senat / Senate |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Sejm
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Marshal of the Senate |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House);
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dismissal (by a motion of at least 34 Senators voting by secret ballot) |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Senators present during the first sitting of the Senate
- election is held at the beginning of the first sitting of the newly elected Senate
- before Members' mandates are validated and after Members are sworn in
|
| Eligibility |
- any Senator supported by at least 10 Senators may be candidate
- formal notification of candidature may be submitted until the vote is held |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority of votes is required
- if there are more than one candidate and if no candidate obtains the required majority in the first round, several rounds are held. The candidate having received the smallest number of votes does not take part in subsequent rounds of voting.
- in the event of a tie, a drawing of lots decides which candidate will be excluded
|
| Procedures / results |
- the most senior former Marshal presides over the Senate during the voting
- the Senate supervises the voting
- the most senior former Marshal announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierarchy of State (after the Head of State and the Marshal of the Sejm) and may be called upon as acting Head of State in the absence of the Head of State and of the Marshal of the Sejm
- ranks after the Marshal of the Sejm
- presides over joint sittings of both Houses in the absence of the Marshal of the Sejm
- represents the Senate with the public authorities
- is ex officio member of the Committee of the Defence of the State
- in the absence of the Marshal, one of the three Vice-Marshals can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
- the Presidium of the Senate and the Senior Council are regulated by the Standing Orders of the Senate
- the daily order of business and meetings of the Presidium are set by the Marshal of the Senate
- the Presidium consists of 4 Members (the Marshal and three Vice-Marshals) and has a term of 4 years
- the Senior Council consists of the Marshall, the Vice-Marshals, Senators-representatives of the parliamentary clubs (at least 7 Senators)
- the Presidium convenes at least once a week at the initiative of the Marshal
- the Senior Council convenes at the initiative of the Marshal or of a motion of the Presidium and at least 1 parliamentary club having representatives in the Council
- the Presidium shares the presidency with the Marshal while the Senior Council is an advisory body
|
| Material facilities |
- salary: PLZ 15,000 per month in 2009
- Senator's parliamentary allowance
- apartment in the Sejm's hotel
- official car
- secretariat and support staff
- protection by the Government Security Bureau
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- organizes the debates and may extend speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
The Senate:
- sets up the agenda
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- may make announcements concerning the Senate but these are usually made by one of the Senator Secretaries
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance
- gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- 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
- authenticates the adopted texts and the records of debates
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates
|
| Special powers |
- the Head of the Chancellery (Clerk) proposes the Senate's budget to the Presidium
- the Head of the Chancellery recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- the Presidium organizes the services of the Senate
- plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs or defence matters as a member of the Council of the Defence of State
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the Marshal Guard in the event of disturbance in the Senate
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- takes part in voting as any other Senator
- proposes amendments as any other Senator
- is consulted by the Head of State in the event that the latter wants to dissolve the Sejm
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
