The Senate Bureau

The Senate Bureau

The first Ordinary Session of the legislative year allows the Senate to establish a Bureau, with   full powers to preside over its deliberations, organize all its services and its full representation in all public ceremonies.

The Members of the Senate Bureau are elected for one (01) year and are eligible for re-election.

It is composed of :

–       01 President: elected by single-member ballot by an absolute majority of valid votes cast. He chairs the Bureau and the Chairmen’s Conference. He presides over the debates in plenary sessions and oversees the deliberations.

–       01 First Vice-President: Also elected by single-member ballot by an absolute majority of valid votes cast; he replaces the President of the Senate in the event of his absence or incapability.

–       04 Vice-presidents: Elected by list vote cast, they work in collaboration with the President of the Senate and the First Vice-President. They can deputize in the order of precedence established by the Bureau.

–       03 Quaestors:  Responsible for controlling the administrative and financial services of the Senate.

–       08 Secretaries; They ensure that minutes are drawn up and read if requested. They record Senators who request the floor, control and count ballots during elections.

–       01 General Secretary: ex-officio Member of the Bureau. The administration of the Senate is placed under his responsibility. He is the delegated authorizing officer and as such, he prepares the draft budget of the Senate in consultation with the quaestors.