| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Eduskunta - Riksdagen / Parliament |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of Parliament |
| Term |
- duration: 1 year (election of Speaker takes place every year in February, one day before the opening session of the Eduskunta)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death
|
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of Parliament
- the election is held at the first sitting of the newly elected Parliament
- after members' mandates have been validated
|
| Eligibility |
- any Member of Parliament may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- an absolute majority is required for the first two rounds; the candidate who has obtained the largest number of votes is elected in the third round. In case of a tie, lots are drawn
|
| Procedures / results |
- the senior Member presides over Parliament during the voting
- the senior Member supervises the voting
- the senior Member announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged
|
| STATUS |
| Status |
- ranks second in the hierarchy of the State
- represents Parliament with the authorities
- is ex officio Chairperson of the Speaker's Council and the Parliamentary Offices Committee
- represents Parliament in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, one of the Deputy Speakers can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
- the Speaker's Council consists of the Speaker, the two Deputy Speakers and the chairpersons of the 14 parliamentary committees
- his/her term is one year
- generally meets 1/2 hour before plenary sittings
- is only responsible for assisting and supporting the Speaker
|
| Material facilities |
NA (no information received) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- establishes and modifies the agenda
- has made recommendations to set speaking time
- 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 Parliament, sometimes aided by the Clerk
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of Parliament
- has discretionary power to give the floor to an MP outside the agenda only during Question Hour
|
| Special powers |
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Office Committee
- can play an important role in the organization of the services of Parliament
- may be responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments
- is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in Parliament
|
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- signs laws before transmitting them to the Head of State for enactment
- may refuse to take up or put a matter to a vote; in such cases, the matter can be referred to the Constitutional Committee for resolution
- must be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.)
|
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
