| Parliament name |
- |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Drzavni Svet / National Council |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Drzavni Zbor / National Assembly
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National Council |
| Term |
Term: Two and a half years (half the term of the National Council), with the possibility of reelection. |
| Appointment |
Elected by members of the National Council.
|
| Eligibility |
- Any member of the National Council can be a candidate.
- Candidates are proposed by the various interest groups.
- Candidatures may be submitted up to the start of the incoming National Council's legislative session. |
| Voting system |
Elected by secret ballot and absolute majority. |
| Procedures / results |
The most senior member presides over the National Council during the voting. If he or she refuses to preside over the election, or in case of his or her absence, the second most senior member of the National Council will preside. If the second most senior member is also absent or refuses to preside, the elections shall be presided over by a member designated by the National Council. The election results are declared by the officer presiding over the session. |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- The President of the National Council ranks fourth after the President of the Republic, the President of the National Assembly and the Prime Minister.
- The President of the National Council represents the National Council in its relations with the authorities and international bodies.
- In the absence of the President of the National Assembly, the Vice-President of the National Assembly performs his or her role and functions. |
| Board |
The Collegiums of the National Council is composed of the Council's President and Vice-President and the heads of the various interest groups. It is a deliberative body that provides support for the work of the President, notably by putting forward draft agendas for National Council sessions and referring items for discussion to the appropriate committees. The National Council may authorize the Collegiums to take decisions related to National Council staff, organization, and finance. |
| Material facilities |
- Compensation for remuneration lost during the President's term of office (the President of the National Council, like other members, holds an honorary office and is not employed by the National Council. The President may claim compensation for the remuneration he or she would otherwise have received as employed prior to taking office).
- Official car |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
The President of the National Council:
- convenes and presides over sessions;
- establishes and modifies the agenda;
- organizes the deliberations and sets speaking time limits;
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments;
- refers texts to committees for study;
- signs decisions adopted by the National Council;
- ensures that the National Council's relations with the National Assembly and the Government are in accordance with the Constitution, the law, and the Rules of Procedure;
- is responsible for cooperation with other national bodies;
- is in charge of applying the Rules of Procedure. |
| Chairing of public sittings |
The President of the National Council:
- can open, adjourn and close sessions;
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution, the law, and the Rules of Procedure;
- makes announcements concerning the National Council;
- establishes the list of speakers;
- gives and withdraws permission to speak;
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be discussed;
- checks the quorum;
- authenticates texts adopted by the Council and the records of Council deliberations. |
| Special powers |
- The President of the National Council nominates candidates for the office of Secretary General. |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
The President of the National Council:
- may take the floor during legislative debate by leaving his or her seat;
- takes part in voting;
- may propose bills or amendments. |
