Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Majlis Al-Chaab / People's Assembly |
Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
Title |
Speaker of the People's Assembly |
Term |
- duration: 1 year
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, loss of parliamentary seat, death, dissolution
of the People's Council
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Appointment |
- elected by all Members present at the election
- election held at the first meeting of the PC, after the general elections
- following validation of mandates
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Eligibility |
- any Member of the PC is entitled to present his candidature
- candidatures should be tabled at the PC's first meeting after the general elections
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Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority for the first round, simple majority for subsequent rounds
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Procedures / results |
- the oldest Member presides over the Council during the voting
- the two secretaries and the members of the Provisional Board of the PC supervise the voting
- the oldest Member announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged. In the event that the validity of certain ballots is challenged, the Provisional Board takes an irrevocable decision
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STATUS |
Status |
- ranks fifth in the order of precedence, after the President of the Republic and the three Vice-Presidents
- represents the Council with the public authorities
- is an ex officio member of bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Council in international bodies
- is ex officio Chairman of committees or other bodies
- in the absence of the President, the Vice-President (in the absence of the latter, the oldest member acts as substitute) can assume his/her role and functions
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Board |
- is regulated by the Standing Orders of the PC
- elected at the PC's first meeting, following the election of the President
- consists of the President, two observers, two secretaries and the Vice-President
- meets at the initiative of the President
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Material facilities |
- allowance
+ expense allowance
- official car with chauffeur
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FUNCTIONS |
Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- 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
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Chairing of public sittings |
- can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- 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
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates
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Special powers |
- presides over the recruitment, assignment and promotion of staff
- appoints the Clerk
- plays a specific role in overseeing foreign affairs and defence
- 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 Chamber
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Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
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