| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Assemblée nationale / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of house)*
- reasons for interruption of term: resignation, dissolution of the Assembly, death
- serves until the new legislature has been installed
*Until 2014, the Speaker's term of office was one year and was renewable. Following the modification to the internal rules of procedure of the National Assembly in 2014, the Speaker is now elected for the duration of the legislature (five years). |
| Appointment |
- elected by the Assembly at the beginning of the legislature, following validation of Members' mandates by the Constitutional Council |
| Eligibility |
- any Member may be a candidate, but formal notification is required
- notification of candidatures must be made at the latest one hour before the opening of the sitting |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot with 2 rounds of voting
- an absolute majority is required in the first round, and a relative majority in the second |
| Procedures / results |
- the oldest Member presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the secretaries of the sitting and the appointed tellers supervise the voting
- the President of the sitting announces the results immediately following the vote
- the results may be challenged before the Board and, possibly, the courts |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State
- represents Parliament as an institution (may delegate Deputy Speakers or committee chairmen)
- in the absence of the President due to holidays, resignation or death, the first Vice President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Board is elected by the Assembly
- consists of 20 Members who are eligible for re-election each year.
- exercises all powers over the services pursuant to the President's instructions. |
| Material facilities |
- special allowance
- official residence
- domestic staff
- official car
- bodyguards
- military protection |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions (the Board is also competent in this respect)
The Conference of Speakers:
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting-up of such committees
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- opens, adjourns and closes sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up
- 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 texts adopted and the records of debates |
| Special powers |
- prepares the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacitiy, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Assembly |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates by leaving his seat on the presidential podium
- takes part in voting
- promulgates laws if the President of the Republic has not done so before the expiry of the constitutional deadline
- oversees the constitutionality of laws through the Council |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
