Dimension: 1.4.2 Speaker

This dimension concerns the mandate, role, functions and duties of the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. , whose primary responsibility is to facilitate orderly and meaningful discussion and debate in parliament. The Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each legislature by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over parliament. As the first among equals, the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. has the necessary powers and resources to discharge this responsibility. 

The Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. ’s official role usually includes to:

  • preside over debates and votes
  • rule on questions of parliamentary procedure and privilege
  • maintain discipline and order within the house
  • supervise administrative matters
  • be responsible for the organization of parliament's work
  • represent parliament or a chamber at official functions, both domestically and internationally.

In some political systems, the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. has the casting vote in the event of a deadlock.

The Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. has the power to enforce the rules of procedure and to call to order and discipline any MP who breaches those rules. 

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Aspiring goal

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “Speaker” is as follows:

  • The legal framework defines the mandate, role, functions and duties of the Speaker, and establishes the rules for electing the Speaker and their term of office.
  • The Speaker is mandated to coordinate and manage the work of the parliamentary bodies, to manage the overall functioning of parliament or a chamber, to preside over sessions and to exercise full administrative powers within the parliament or chamber.
  • The Speaker discharges their duties impartially and neutrally, manages the floor fairly, provides equal opportunities for all political groups and members to engage in debates, and distributes parliamentary resources equitably.
  • The Speaker is responsible for enforcing parliament’s rules of procedure and codes of conduct, and has the power to call to order and discipline any MP who breaches those rules.
  • The Speaker enjoys privileged material status, including higher remuneration and a personal apparatus with sufficient members of staff.
     

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Assessment criteria

No 1: Legal framework

The legal framework defines the mandate, role, functions and duties of the Speaker, establishes the rules for electing the Speaker and defines the Speaker’s term of office. 

No 2: Role

The legal framework mandates the Speaker to coordinate and manage the work of the parliamentary bodies, to manage the overall functioning of parliament or a chamber, to preside over sessions, and to exercise full administrative powers within the parliament or chamber. 

No 3: Impartiality

The Speaker is required to discharge their duties impartially and neutrally, to manage the floor fairly, to provide equal opportunities for all political groups and members to engage in debates, and to distribute parliamentary resources equitably.

No 4: Resources

The Speaker has access to the necessary resources to carry out their mandate, including a personal apparatus with sufficient members of staff.

How to complete this assessment

This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based. 

The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:

  • Provisions of the constitution and/or other aspects of the legal framework defining the mandate, functions and duties of the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament.
  • Provisions of the legal framework or rules of procedure establishing that the role of the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. is to coordinate and manage the work of the parliamentary bodies, to manage the overall functioning of parliament or a chamber, to preside over sessions and to exercise full administrative powers within the parliament or chamber
  • Provisions of the legal framework or rules of procedure establishing that the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. is required to discharge their duties impartially and neutrally
  • Provisions of the legal framework or rules of procedure establishing that the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament. is responsible for enforcing parliament’s rules of procedure and code of conduct
  • Information about the resources and staff available to the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament.
  • Copies of asset declarations submitted by the Speaker Speaker The highest authority and principal presiding officer of the parliament, or of the house or chamber in bicameral parliaments. The Speaker is usually an MP elected at the beginning of each convocation by fellow MPs to preside over the parliamentary chamber or, in a unicameral system, to preside over the parliament.

Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.

Sources and further reading

  • Georges Bergougnous, Presiding Officers of National Parliamentary Assemblies (1997)
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