| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Assemblée nationale / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 5 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly
- once the Assembly has been dissolved, the Speaker no longer plays any role |
| Appointment |
- elected by the Members of the Assembly
- election held after validation of Members' mandates |
| Eligibility |
- any Member may be a candidate
- notification of candidature must be made immediately to the Board which is headed by the oldest Member |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot for a single candidate
- an absolute majority is required in the first round, a simple majority in the second
- if after the fourth round there is still a tie, the oldest candidate is declared elected |
| Procedures / results |
- the oldest Member presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Board and three tellers chosen from among the Members supervise the voting
- the oldest Member announces the results without delay
- the results can be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of State
- is acting Head of State in case of the latter's death, inability to be present, or resignation
- represents the Assembly with the public authorities
- is ex officio member of bodies outside Parliament
- represents the Assembly in international bodies or can deputize a Member to do so
- in case of absence, the Speaker is replaced by one of the Deputy Speakers, in the order of precedence |
| Board |
- is elected under and regulated by the Standing Orders
- consists of 11 Members (1 Chairman, 4 Vice-Chairmen, 4 secretaries, 2 questors)
- elected for a one-year term
- meets when convened by the Speaker
- constitutes a true collegial presidency |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
- special allowance |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- 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
|
| 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, with the advice of the plenary Assembly
- 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 adopted texts and the records of debates
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates, with the agreement of the plenary Assembly |
| Special powers |
- is empowered to authorize disbursements - however, the budget is established by the technical services of the General Secretariat and the Questor's Office which establish the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff, following deliberation by the Board
- appoints the Clerk, at the Board's suggestion
- plays a role in overseeing foreign relations and defence, in co-operation with the other constitutional authorities
- 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 |
- can take the floor in legislative debates to give a summing-up
- provides guidelines for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion
- takes part in voting
- proposes bills or amendments, as an MP
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- signs the laws adopted and follows the legislative process until laws have been promulgated
- can decide that texts are inadmissible and seize the Supreme Court in case of a dispute or to verify the constitutionality of laws
- can appoint one member of the High Council of the Magistrature, and one member of the High Council for Communication
- must be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.) |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
