| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Las Cortes Generales / The Cortes |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Congreso de los Diputados / Congress of Deputies |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Senado / Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Congress of Deputies |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, loss of seat, death, dissolution of Parliament |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of Congress, at the first sitting of the newly elected Congress (27/3/1996)
- before validation of mandates and swearing-in |
| Eligibility |
any Deputy may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority required in the first round, in the second round only the 2 candidates with the most votes are left, and election is by a majority of votes cast |
| Procedures / results |
- the oldest Deputy presides over the Congress during the voting
- the oldest Deputy and 2 Secretaries (the 2 youngest Deputies) supervise the voting
- the oldest Deputy announces the results without delay
- the results can be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks third in the hierarchy of the State, after the King and the Head of Government
- ranks before the President of the Senate in the order of precedence, and therefore presides over joint meetings of both Houses
- represents the Congress with the public authorities
- presides ex officio over the Board, the Conference of Spokesmen and the Standing Deputation
- may, if he so wishes, preside over any committee
- in the absence of the President, one of the 4 Vice-Presidents, in the order of their appointment, can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- is regulated by the Standing Orders of the Congress of Deputies
- consists of the President, 4 Vice-Presidents and 4 Parliamentary Secretaries
- meets weekly at the President's initiative |
| Material facilities |
+ expense allowance
- official residence
- official car
- cabinet, with several advisers and secretaries
- bodyguards
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda, together with the Conference of Spokesmen
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time, according to the Standing Orders
The Board:
- 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,
|
| Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Congress
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures, following a decision by the Board
- gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up, with the help of the rapporteurs of the Committee which has adopted the text
- 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, together with the Parliamentary Secretaries
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Congress - if the interpretation requires a resolution, the agreement of the Board and the Conference of Spokesmen is needed |
| Special powers |
The Board:
- is responsible for establishing the budget of the Congress
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Secretary General, on a proposal by the President
- organizes the services of Parliament
- is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Congress |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates, but must leave his seat to do so
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- may intervene in the parliamentary oversight procedure, but must leave his seat to do so
- refers bills to the Head of State (King)
- presides over the Permanent Deputation, which is responsible for looking after the business of the Congress between sessions |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
