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Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Senadores / Senate Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1930 - 1935 1985 - LEADERSHIP President Jorge Orrico (M)  Notes Elected on 1 March 2012. (until 28 Feb. 2013). Secretary General José Pedro Montero (M)  COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 99 / 99 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 12 (12.12%) Mode of designation directly elected 99 Notes The Speaker's term of office commences on 1 March of every year and ends at the end of February the following year. Term 5 years Last renewal dates 25 October 2009 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Cámara de Representantes Asamblea General Palacio Legislativo, Avenida de las Leyes s/n Montevideo URUGUAY (Export mailing lists) Phone (598) 2924 86 86 2924 81 19 Fax (598) 2924 87 74 E-mail ipuuru@parlamento.gub.uy Website http://www.parlamento.gub.uy http://www.diputados.gub.uy/

Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Senadores / Senate LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 October 1925 Last amendment: 9.06.1999 Mode of designation directly elected 99 Constituencies 19 multi-member (at least 2 seats) constituencies corresponding to the country's departments. Voting system Proportional: Direct election, party-list proportional representation system using the simple quotient and highest average formula for remainders. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by substitutes elected at the same time as the titular members. Voting is compulsory, unjustified abstention being punishable by a fine. Voter requirements - age: 18 years - Uruguayan citizenship - presence in country on polling day - disqualifications: mental illness, conviction for criminal offence CANDIDATES Eligibility - age: 25 years - Uruguayan citizenship by birth or naturalization for at least 5 years - full possession of civil rights Incompatibilities - judges - prosecuting attorneys - police officials - directors of national companies - members of the armed forces on active duty Candidacy requirements - lists of candidates must be sumitted by political parties to the national Electoral Court at least 20 days prior to the elections

Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Senadores / Senate BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 25 October 2009 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in the House of Representatives on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. At stake in the 2009 elections were all 99 seats in the House of Representatives and the 30 seats in the Senate. They were held in parallel with the presidential elections and two referenda: one on whether to repeal the amnesty law concerning human rights abuses committed during the military rule between 1973 and 1985 and another on allowing voters abroad to use postal ballots. In the previous elections held in October 2004, the Broad Front (Frente Amplio, FA) coalition - comprising the Progressive Encounter, the Broad Front and the New Majority - took 53 seats in the House of Representatives and 17 in the Senate. The FA's victory effectively ended 170 years of political control by the National Party (PN) and the Colorado Party (PC). The former took 34 seats in the House and 10 in the Senate, while the latter won 10 and three seats respectively. The Independent Party (PI) took the two remaining seats in the House of Representatives. The FA candidate, Mr. Tabaré Vázquez, won the run-off presidential elections in November 2004. Upon assuming office in March 2005, Mr. Vázquez implemented large public works, including the construction of a new airport, and distributed personal computers to school children. Despite the global economic crisis, the country's economy remained stable. Gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to rise by 1.2 per cent in 2009. In March 2009, the House of Representatives approved a law to increase the percentage of women on the candidates' lists for elections at all levels. However, it will only apply as of the parliamentary elections due in 2014 (see note). In the 2009 elections, the FA endorsed Senator José Mujica as its presidential candidate. A former member of the rebel Tupamaros National Liberation Movement (MLN), he was challenged by former president Luis Alberto Lacalle (PN) and Mr. Pedro Bordaberry (PC). Mr. Bordaberry is the son of former president Juan María Bordaberry, who ceded control of the government to the military in 1973 and was arrested in November 2006 in connection with the 1976 assassination of two legislators in Buenos Aires. The FA pledged to solve housing problems, create jobs and fight poverty. Mr. Mujica, who advocates a simple life, ran on an anti-consumerism platform. He used public transport during the election campaign. Thanks to his popularity, the FA reportedly enjoyed increasing support from the youth, the poor and the liberal classes. The PN pledged to work for security, employment and independence. It also promised to remove the income tax introduced by the FA government. PC leader Bordaberry promised a lower tax burden for people and promised to establish a merit-based pay system. Although voting is compulsory, only 89 per cent of the 2.6 million registered voters cast their ballot. The FA retained the majority in both chambers, taking 50 seats in the House of Representatives and 16 in the Senate. The PN took 30 and nine seats respectively. The PC followed with 17 and five. The PI, led by Mr. Pablo Mieres, retained two seats in the House of Representatives. Fourteen women were elected to the House of Representatives and four to the Senate. Neither referendum received the required majority: 47 per cent of the voters supported the abolition of the amnesty law while 36 per cent supported the postal ballot for overseas citizens. No candidate won the required majority in the presidential elections to be elected in the first round. The run-off elections between Mr. Mujica (FA) and Mr. Lacalle (PN), backed by the PC, were held on 29 November. Mr. Mujica (FA) was elected with over 52 per cent of the votes. On 15 February 2010, the newly elected members were sworn in. The House of Representatives elected Ms. Ivonne Passada (FA) as its new Speaker for one year. The Senate elected Ms. Lucía Topolansky (FA), wife of the President-elect Mujica, as its President for a period of 15 February to 1 March 2010. It was the first time that both chambers in Uruguay were led by female presiding officers. On 1 March, Mr. Mujica (FA) was sworn in as the country's President along with his deputy, Mr. Danilo Astori (FA). The latter assumes the post of Senate President for five years. Note: Party lists must comprise candidates of both sexes in every three places from the beginning to the end of the list, or at least in the first 15 places of the list. This rule applies to both the list of titular and substitute members. In the electoral districts used for the House of Representatives where only two seats are being contested, the two titular candidates must include one man and one woman. The government promulgated the law on 13 April, but it will only apply starting from the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2014. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 25 October 2009 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 2'563'250 2'304'686 (89.91%) Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Broad Front (FA) National Party (PN) Colorado Party Independent Party (PI) Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Broad Front (FA) 50 National Party (PN) 30 Colorado Party 17 Independent Party (PI) 2 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 85 14 14.14% Distribution of seats according to age Distribution of seats according to profession Comments Source: IPU Group (04.12.2009, 01.01.2010,15.12.2011)

Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Senadores / Senate APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title President of the Chamber of Representatives Term Duration: one year - for the first year of the five-year term of the legislature, the Speaker occupies the post from 15 February until the end of February of the next year; - for the rest of the legislature, the Speaker occupies the post from 1 March until the end of February of the next year. Reasons of interruption of the term: resignation, death, dissolution of the Chamber Appointment - elected by all Members of the Chamber - the election is held at the beginning of every annual session - before validation of mandates Eligibility - any Member may be a candidate Voting system - formal public vote in one round - a simple majority of the Members is required Procedures / results - the Secretary presides over the Chamber during the voting - the Secretary supervises the voting - the Secretary announces the results without delay - the results cannot be challenged STATUS Status - the President of the Senate presides over joint sittings of both Houses - in the absence of the Speaker, one of the four Vice-Presidents elected using the same procedure as the President can assume his/her role and functions Board Material facilities - same allowance as other Members of the Chamber - expense allowance - official car - secretariat FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments - refers texts to a committee for study - examines the admissibility of requests for setting up committees of enquiry, proposes or decides on the setting-up of such committees - is empowered to appoint committees and their presidents 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 - verifies the voting procedure - checks the quorum at the indication of the Secretary - authenticates the texts adopted and the records of debates with the Secretaries of the Chambers - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Chamber Special powers - is responsible for establishing the budget - recruits, assigns and promotes staff with the agreement of the Committee for Chamber Affairs and the Secretariat - organizes the services of Parliament - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call in the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber Speaking and voting rights, other functions - takes the floor in legislative debates by leaving his seat - gives directives for the interpretation or completion of the text under discussion - takes part in voting - proposes bills or amendments - intervenes in the parliamentary oversight procedure - transmits laws to the Head of State for promulgation

Parliament name (generic / translated) Asamblea General / General Assembly Structure of parliament Bicameral Chamber name (generic / translated) Cámara de Representantes / House of Representatives Related chamber (for bicameral parliaments) Cámara de Senadores / Senate NATURE Nature of the mandate Start of the mandate · On 15 February following the national elections that take place, every five years, on the last Sunday of November (Art. 104 (1) of the Constitution of 27.11.1966, as amended up to and including 08.12.1996) Validation of mandates · Validation by the Electoral Court only in case of challenge (Art. 322 (c) of the Constitution) · Procedure (Art. 326 and 327 of the Constitution, Art. 158 to 165 of the Electoral Law) End of the mandate · On the day when the legal term of the House ends (see Art. 89 of the Constitution). The Permanent Commission of the General Assembly continues to exercise its functions until the new Chambers are organised (Art. 131 (8) of the Constitution). In case of early dissolution, the mandate ends on the day the new Assembly meets (Art. 148 (10) and (16) of the Constitution) (for early dissolution, see Art. 148 of the Constitution) Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will · Procedure (Art. 115 (3) of the Constitution) (see also Pension scheme) · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Chamber of Representatives Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Definitive exclusion from Parliament by the latter: 1. By the Chamber of Representatives: - Exclusion (Art. 115 (2) of the Constitution, see also Code of conduct) 2. By both Chambers: - Impeachment (Art. 93, 102 and 103 of the Constitution, see also Code of conduct) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Within Parliament: 1. The members of the Board 2. The Vice-Presidents of the Chamber of Representatives 3. The Presidents of the Committees, for certain acts or ceremonies 4. The other MPs Indemnities, facilities and services · Diplomatic passport · Basic salary (see also Art. 117 of the Constitution): U$ 40,000 (US$ 4,000) · No exemption from tax · Pension scheme (Art. 77 (2) No. 10, and 111 (1) of the Constitution) · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat (b) Assistants (Art. 107 of the Constitution, Rules 96 to 103 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, Rules 106 (2) No. 15, and 109 to 113 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) (c) Postal and telephone services (d) Travel: when decided by the Chamber of Representatives Obligation to declare personal assets Yes Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Art. 112 of the Constitution, see also Rule 92 (C) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, and Rule 105 (C) of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives). · Parliamentary non-accountability applies to words spoken and written by MPs both within and outside Parliament. · Derogations: waiver of immunity, offence or insult (Rules 73, 104 (H), and 106 (2) No. 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives, see Discipline) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Art. 113 and 114 of the Constitution). · It applies to criminal and civil proceedings, covers all offences with the exception of traffic offences, and protects MPs from arrest and from being held in preventive custody, from the opening of judicial proceedings against them and from their homes being searched. · Derogations: in cases of flagrante delicto, the MP can be arrested. Notice shall immediately be given to the Chamber of Representatives, with a summary report of the case. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. However, they may reply in writing, without appearing before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate, including between early dissolution of the House and the election of a new Parliament, and also covers judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) can be lifted (Art. 114 of the Constitution): - Competent authority: the Chamber of Representatives - Procedure (Art. 114 of the Constitution). In this case, MPs need not be heard. They do not have means of appeal. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is no training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs, nor is there a handbook of parliamentary procedure. Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings and committee meetings (Rules 30 (1) and 91 (B) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, Rule 104 (B) of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives). For leave of absence, see Rule 30 (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. · Penalties foreseen in case of failure to fulfil this obligation: - Admonition (Rule 29 (2) of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly, Rules 37 (3) and 106 (2) No. 7 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Loss of committee membership (Rule 127 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Other penalties for non-attendance at the opening sitting of the General Assembly (Art. 109 of the Constitution) · Body competent to judge such cases/to impose penalties: - Admonition, loss of committee membership: the President - Other penalties for non-attendance at the opening sitting of the General Assembly: the MPs present Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Rules 69 to 70, 72 to 75, 104 (H), 105 (G), 106 (2) No. 6 and 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives. For the General Assembly, see Rules 58 to 64, 91 (G), 92 (E), and 93 (2) No. 6 and 7 of the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly. · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Interruption (Rules 69 and 70 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Call to order (Rules 69 (1) and 73 to 74 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Warning for irrelevance (Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Prohibition to take the floor (Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Order to withdraw (Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting (Rule 106 (2) No. 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) · Specific cases: - Offence or insult (Rules 73, 104 (H), and 106 (2) No. 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives): interruption, call to order · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties (Rules 105 (G) and 106 (2) No. 6 and 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives): - Interruption, offence or insult: any Representative - Call to order, warning for irrelevance, offence or insult: the President, on his own instigation or on that of another Representative; the Chamber of Representatives - Prohibition to take the floor, order to withdraw, adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting: the President · Procedure: - Interruption, offence or insult (Rules 69 and 70 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Call to order, offence or insult (Rules 69 (1) and 73 to 74, 104 (H), and 106 (2) No. 6 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Warning for irrelevance (Rule 72 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Prohibition to take the floor, order to withdraw (Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) - Adjournment of the House, suspension of the sitting (Rule 106 (2) No. 8 of the Rules of Procedure of the Chamber of Representatives) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system but there are some relevant provisions (Art. 93, 102, 103, and 115 of the Constitution). · Penalties foreseen for violation of the rules of conduct: - Reprimand (Art. 115 (1) of the Constitution) - Suspension (Art. 115 (1) of the Constitution) - Loss of mandate (Art. 115 (2) of the Constitution, exclusion) - Loss of mandate (Art. 93, 102 and 103 of the Constitution, impeachment) · Competent body to judge such cases/to impose penalties: - Reprimand, suspension, loss of mandate (exclusion): the Chamber of Representatives - Loss of mandate (impeachment): the Chamber of Representatives and the Senate · Procedure: - Reprimand, suspension (Art. 115 (1) of the Constitution). - Loss of mandate (Art. 115 (2) of the Constitution, exclusion). - Loss of mandate (Art. 93, 102 and 103 of the Constitution, impeachment). In this case, MPs have means of recourse. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 2 March 2012
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