IPU Logo    INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION
>>> VERSION FRANÇAISE  
   HOME -> PARLINE -> URUGUAY (Cámara de Senadores)
Print this pagePrint this page
PARLINE database new searchNew search
URUGUAY
Cámara de Senadores (Senate)
PRESIDENCY OF THE PARLIAMENTARY CHAMBER

Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module

Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly
Structure of parliament Bicameral
Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Senadores / Senate
Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives
APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE
Title President of the General Assembly & of the Senate
Term - duration: 5 years (term of House)
- normal date of expiry: the 14th of February preceding the inauguration of the new Chamber
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Senate
Appointment - the Vice-President of the Republic is ex officio President of the Senate
- last Sunday of November every five years
- prior to validation of mandates and swearing-in
Eligibility - any citizen over 30 years of age, of Uruguayan nationality or naturalized at least 7 years ago may be a candidate (except for judges, prosecutors, police officers and servicemen)
- notification of candidature: 30 days prior to elections
Voting system - formal vote by secret ballot
- simple majority, one round
Procedures / results NA (no information received)
STATUS
Status - as both President of the Senate and Vice-President of the Republic, he ranks second in the order of precedence after the President of the Republic
- presides over joint meetings of both Houses
- represents the Senate with the public authorities
- represents the Senate in international bodies
- in the absence of the President, the Senator representing the party with the most votes in the last national elections can assume his/her role and functions
Board
Material facilities - salary double that of the other MPs
- official car
- secretariat
- bodyguards
- military attaché
FUNCTIONS
Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions
- refers texts to a committee for study
Chairing of public sittings - can open, adjourn and close sittings
- ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders
- makes announcements concerning the Senate, as does the Legislative Secretary
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- checks the quorum
- authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates, together with the Legislative Secretary
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Senate, relying on precedents
Special powers - presents a draft budget to the Senate
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk
- organizes the services of the Senate
- 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 Senate
Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates, by leaving his seat
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion, like any Senator
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- can propose members of the Supreme Court, the Tribunal for Administrative Disputes, the Audit Office and the Electoral Court, like the other Senators

Copyright 1996-2016 Inter-Parliamentary Union