| Parliament name (generic / translated) |
Narodna skupstina / National Assembly |
| Structure of parliament |
Unicameral |
| APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE |
| Title |
Chairperson of the National Assembly |
| Term |
- duration: 4 years
- reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, recall, death, dissolution of the National Assembly |
| Appointment |
- elected by all Members of the National Assembly
- the election is held at the beginning of the legislature
- after validation of mandates
|
| Eligibility |
- any Member may be a candidate
|
| Voting system |
- formal vote by secret ballot, unless one or more Members requests a public vote
- one round or several if no candidate obtains the required majority
- in the event of a tie, a new round of voting is held |
| Procedures / results |
- the Chairperson of the previous convocation convenes the first session of the National Assembly
- the oldest Deputy (Acting Chairperson) presides over the Chamber during the voting
- the Acting Chairperson and the 2 youngest Deputies supervise the voting
- the Acting Chairperson announces the results without delay
- the results cannot be challenged, unless during the voting at least 5 Deputies express doubts as to the results; in this case, the votes are recounted |
| STATUS |
| Status |
- represents the National Assembly with the authorities
- represents the National Assembly in international bodies
- in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson can assume his/her role and functions
|
| Board |
|
| Material facilities |
- allowance
+ expense allowance
- official residence
- official car
- secretariat
|
| FUNCTIONS |
| Organization of parliamentary business |
- convenes sessions
- organizes the debates and sets speaking time
- examines the admissibility of bills and amendments
- refers texts to a committee for study
- may propose the setting-up of committees
- may nominate candidates for 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
- 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 texts adopted and the records of debates
|
| Special powers |
- recruits, assigns and promotes staff
- proposes the Secretary to the National Assembly which appoints him
- plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs
- 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 National Assembly |
| Speaking and voting rights, other functions |
- takes the floor in legislative debates by leaving his or her chair
- 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
- transmits, together with the President of the National Assembly, the laws adopted to the Head of State for promulgation |
