| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Asamblea Nacional / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
President of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 2 years, renewable (elected on 9 January)
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Assembly |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the Assembly on 9 January every year, following the validation of mandates and swearing-in |
| Eligibility |
- any member may be a candidate |
| Voting system |
- formal vote by public ballot and absolute majority, in 2 rounds if necessary |
| Procedures / results |
- the Junta Directiva Provisional, which consists of the 2 oldest Members and the 2 youngest, presides over the Assembly during the voting
- the Junta Directiva Provisional supervises the voting
- the Junta Directiva Provional announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- represents the Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the President, the first Vice-President can assume his/her role and functions |
| Board |
- the Junta Directiva consists of 6 Members elected for the same period as the President
- it meets at least once a week
- it exercises a collegial presidency |
| Material facilities |
- allowance
- official car
- secretariat
- bodyguards
|
| 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 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
- makes announcements concerning the Assembly
- 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
- 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
- interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Assembly |
| Special powers |
- appoints the Clerk
- 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 |
- 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
- can have laws published
- may be consulted in certain circumstances (dissolution, etc.) |
