| 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 the term: vote of no confidence by 2/3 of the Deputies of the Assembly, resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the Assembly
- election held during the legal session
- following validation of mandates |
| Eligibility |
- any Member who has formally submitted his candidature may be a candidate
- notification of candidature must be made at the latest one hour before the beginning of the sitting at which the Board must be elected |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- absolute majority for the first round, simple majority for the second. In case of a tie, the oldest candidate is elected |
| Procedures / results |
- the Seniority Board presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the bailiffs supervise the voting
- the oldest member announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- is ex officio President of the Conference of Presidents and meetings of the Board
- in the absence of the President, the First Vice-President and, if necessary, the second Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- consists of the President, two questors and two parliamentary secretaries
- its members are elected for five years
- meets once a week at the President's initiative
- exercises a true collegial presidency as far as certain decisions are concerned |
| Material facilities |
- similar salary to that of the Prime Minister (CFA francs 500,000)
- official residence
- official car
- domestic personnel
- body guards
- additional staff |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda, together with the Conference of Presidents
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments, together with the Conference of Presidents
- 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 |
- 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, together with the Board and the Conference of Presidents
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly, together with the Board and the Conference of Presidents
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- with the agreement of the Board, the President:
- supervises the establishment of the Assembly's budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- 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 Chamber |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates, by leaving his seat
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- transmits the laws adopted to the Prime Minister and to the Head of State for promulgation
- must be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.) |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
