| Parliament name |
- |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Drzavni Zbor / National Assembly |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Drzavni Svet / National Council
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of the House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: death, resignation as a MP, dissolution of the National Assembly, relieving of office |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the National Assembly
- election is held during the first constitutive session of the National Assembly, after the National Assembly validates the mandates and appoints the Commission for Elections, Appointments and Administrative Affairs |
| Eligibility |
- any Deputy of the National Assembly may be candidate
- formal notification of candidatures is required and candidatures may be proposed by the Commission for Elections, Appointments and Administrative Affairs or by at least 10 Members
- candidates may be proposed at any time until the beginning of the voting |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- the candidate receiving a majority of the votes of all Deputies irrespective of the number of ballots is declared elected
- several rounds are held if there are more than one candidate and if no candidate obtains the required majority. The second round is held between the two candidates who received the greatest number of votes in the first round. New candidates can run in subsequent rounds if no candidate has received the required majority in the second round
- if there is only one candidate, votes are cast by circling " for " or " against " on the ballot paper. If there are several candidates, votes are cast by circling the number preceding the name of the candidate (names are listed by alphabetical order). If several candidates receive the same number
of votes in the first ballot, the two candidates for the next ballot are selected by drawing lots |
| Procedures / results |
- the oldest Deputy presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the oldest Deputy supervises the voting, together with the Secretary General and 4 Deputies elected by the National Assembly
- the oldest Deputy announces the results without any delay
- the results can be challenged by a Deputy (by presenting an objection immediately after the results have been announced) and the election then may be repeated |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State after the President of the Republic as he/she temporarily performs the functions of Head of State in case of death or absence of the Head of State
- represents the National Assembly with the public authorities and may delegate these representative functions
- may represent the National Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the President of the National Assembly, one of the three Vice-Presidents, appointed by him/her, can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Collegium of the President is regulated by the Standing Orders
- composed of 14 Members (the President of the National Assembly, the three Vice-Presidents, the parliamentary groups leaders, the 2 Deputies of the Italian and Hungarian national minorities) and its term is 4 years
- meets 3-4 times a month at the initiative of the President of the National Assembly or any of its members
- advisory body assisting the President of the Assembly in organising the work of the National Assembly |
| Material facilities |
- salary as a Deputy
- special allowance (80% of a Deputy's salary)
- official car
- office
- body guards |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes a draft agenda to be adopted by the National Assembly
- may propose time limits for debates to the National Assembly
- may postpone the study of a bill if the legislative procedure on a bill on the same or related subject is still under way
- refers texts to a committee for study |
| 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 and lifts such measures
- calls for a vote, 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 Assembly according to precedents |
| Special powers |
- has an informal role of mediator in budgetary and administrative matters
- plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs by receiving foreign ambassadors or representatives of foreign institutions and a specific role in defence matters when acting as Deputy Head of State (during the absence of the Head of State) and thus as acting Commander-in-Chief of armed forces
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments, together with the Secretary General
- 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 |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- signs adopted bills |
