| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Staten-Generaal / States General |
| Structure of parliament |
Bicameral |
| Chamber name (generic / translated) |
Tweede Kamer der Staten-Generaal / House of Representatives |
| Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) |
Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal / Senate
|
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Speaker of the House of Representatives |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years (term of House)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, responsability called into question, dissolution of the Chamber, death |
| Appointment |
- elected by the House (150 Members) at the first sitting of a newly elected Parliament or when the speakership falls vacant during a term of office as soon as possible
- after the Members are sworn in |
| Eligibility |
any Member may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot
- if necessary, up to 4 rounds may be held
- new candidates may be admitted in the first and the second rounds
- if nobody obtains an absolute majority in the second ballot, a 3nd ballot shall be held between the 2 persons who obtained the largest number of votes
- if there is a tied vote in the 4th ballot, the matter shall be decided by lot |
| Procedures / results |
- the former Speaker presides over the Chamber during the voting
- the former Speaker appoints 4 Members as tellers who supervise the voting
- the 1st appointed teller announces the results without any delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- there is no question of ranking the Speaker in the hierarchy of State (principle of division of powers)
- ranks after the Speaker of the First Chamber
- represents the Chamber with the public authorities
- represents the Chamber in international bodies
- in the absence of the Speaker, the first Deputy-Speaker can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Presidium is regulated by the Rules of Procedure of the Lower House
- consists of 8 Members whose term is 4 years
- meets twice a month at the initiative of the Speaker
- is in fact a collegiate presidency although the Speaker possesses powers of his/her own |
| Material facilities |
- basic allowance (8,500 euros per month) + professional allowance (1,250 euros per month)
- Speaker's allowance (2,684 euros per month)
- official car
- secretariat (also the Presidium's Secretariat) |
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- can propose, as any Member, the agenda - exercises his/her powers in accordance to the majority of the House
- organizes the debates
- examines the admissibility of amendments
- examines the admissibility of request 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
- can make announcements concerning the Chamber
- takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures
- establishes the list of speakers, gives and withdraws permission to speak
- 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 Chamber with the agreement of the Chamber, according to precedents
- has discretionary power to give the floor outside the agenda and thus organizes impromptu debates |
| Special powers |
The Presidium:
- is responsible for establishing the budget
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- appoints the Clerk, according to the proposal made by the Speaker
- organizes the services of the Chamber
- 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, but in leaving his/her chair
- takes part in voting
- can propose bills or amendments, but in leaving his/her chair
- intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure
- is used to be consulted by the Head of State on the occasion of the formation of a new cabinet after a cabinet-crisis or after general elections |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Presidency module
