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Functions of the Speaker of the Chamber
The Speaker of the Chamber is elected by the House at the first sitting of parliament. To be elected he needs a majority of two thirds of the members present at the first voting, a majority of two thirds at the second and an absolute majority of votes after the third ballot (Rule 4 ).The Speaker represents the Chamber and ensures its proper functioning (Rule 8 ).
In accordance with the Rules, the Speaker: ensures the regulations are enforced by all the Chamber bodies and decides on matters concerning their interpretation and, if he deems it necessary, hearing the opinion of the Rules of Procedure Committee , which he chairs; he issues circulars and interpretative provisions concerning the rules of procedure; he decides, on the basis of the criteria laid down in the regulations, upon the admissibility of bills, amendments and motions, policy orientation and scrutiny documents;
he sees to the organization of the work of the Chamber by convening the Group Chairpersons' Conference and, in the case of failure to attain the majority prescribed by the regulations, he lays down the programme and calendar of work (Rules 23 and 24 );
he acts as chairman to House sittings and the bodies having the task of organizing the work and the general direction of the Chamber (Bureau, Group Chairpersons' Conference, Rules of Procedure Committee); he appoints the members of the internal organs of institutional guarantee (Rules of Procedure Committee, Committee for Elections, Committee for Parliamentary Immunity in accordance with art. 68 Const.);
he guarantees the proper functioning of the Chamber's internal administration, which is directed by the Secretary General, who is responsible to him (Rule 67 ).