| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Congreso de la República / Congress of the Republic |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the Congress of the Republic |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (until 30 November each year, term of session); elected in February 1998
- reasons for interruption of the term: death - resignation, dissolution of the Congress
- in the period between dissolution and the election of a new Congress, the Permanent Commission assumes the duties and functions of the President |
| Appointment |
- elected by all the Members of the Congress
- election is held at the beginning of each annual session or in any ordinary session convened for this purpose
- before Members' mandates are validated and before they are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
- any Deputy may be a candidate provided that he/she announces his/her candidature at the beginning of the annual session |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by public ballot
- absolute majority (2/3) of Members is required
- if the required majority is not obtained, several rounds may be held. The second and subsequent rounds are held between the 2 candidates having received the greatest number of votes |
| Procedures / results |
- the former President presides over the Congress during the voting
- the former President supervises the voting
- the Board of Directors' Secretary announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- represents the Congress with the public authorities
- represents the Congress in international bodies and may delegate his/her powers to a Deputy
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the three Vice-Presidents can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Board of Directors is regulated by the Standing Orders
- consists of the President of the Congress, the three Vice-Presidents and Clerks, elected for 1 year
- meets whenever necessary
- assists and advises the President |
| Material facilities |
- salary |
| 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 request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting up of such committees
- appoints committees and/or their presiding officers |
| 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
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- establishes the order in which amendments are taken up and selects which amendments are to be debated
- 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 Congress
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
- watches over the Congress' budget execution
- authorizes expenses and informs the Congress accordingly
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs or defence matters
- 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
- 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 |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
