President Signs Amendment to Parliament's Rules of Procedure

Bratislava, 17 February (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini on Tuesday signed an amendment to the Act on Parliament's Rules of Procedure, TASR learnt from the President's Office press department on Tuesday. "It is an autonomous matter of the House how it regulates its internal affairs. The President has no reason to interfere with this regulation as long as it does not exceed constitutional limits," Pellegrini justified his decision. The amendment introduces several changes. It sets, for example, a maximum length of debate on an agenda item. It also specifies undesirable conduct by MPs and tightens sanctions. The obligation to read out an amending proposal in the Chamber has also been abolished. Under the new rules, debate on an agenda item will be limited to a maximum of 37.5 hours. In the case of debate on the government's Manifesto or the state budget, the limit will be up to 75 hours. Parliament will also be able, upon a proposal by at least two parliamentary caucuses, to decide to shorten or extend the debate time. "The length of debate may not be shorter than 12.5 hours," the amendment states. The set debate time will be divided evenly among parliamentary caucuses and non-affiliated MPs. "Each group will be able to manage its time flexibly according to its needs and the substantive focus of the agenda item," coalition MPs behind the amendment argued. Lawmakers will be able to register to speak from the start of the debate, during it and until its conclusion, including repeatedly. An MP will also be able to register even if their parliamentary caucus has already used up its time, particularly for the purpose of subsequently submitting a written speech or an amending proposal. The amendment also adjusts speaking times. The proposer and rapporteur will have a maximum of ten minutes for opening and closing remarks and up to 40 minutes in the debate. "The 40-minute limit also includes the presentation of amending and supplementary proposals, factual notes and procedural motions," the amendment states. Other persons allowed to speak by Parliament will also have a maximum of 40 minutes. The amendment also addresses MPs' conduct. It specifies undesirable behaviour and tightens sanctions. "The chair will first call on the MP to maintain order. If the call does not lead to remedy, the chair will expel the MP. Expulsion of an MP for disrupting order at a sitting will no longer be sanctioned by one unexcused day of absence, but by the loss of one month's salary, including flat-rate allowances and bonuses," the amendment reads. A provision on lawmakers' dress code is also added to the Rules of Procedure. It will now be prohibited not only to bring posters and banners into the chamber but also to produce and use them there. A so-called discreet zone around the lectern and around seats designated for the chair, vice-chairs of Parliament and members of the Government is also defined. "The aim is to prevent disruptive interference by other MPs or persons present at the sitting, while entry into the zone will only be possible with the consent of the chair, the vice-chairs or these persons," MPs explained. The amendment also prohibits the use of mobile phones in the chamber for making calls or recording. The obligation to read out an amending proposal in the Chamber is abolished. "It will be sufficient for an amending or supplementary proposal to be published no later than the start of the debate on the agenda item," the submitters added. An obligation to submit an informative consolidated version when proposing amendments to laws is also introduced. Conditions for public attendance in the gallery are specified. The Rules of Procedure will also newly stipulate that at a sitting convened by the House chair at the request of at least one-fifth of MPs, it will not be possible to debate a proposal that is already part of an ongoing sitting. The amendment also addresses parliamentary committees and situations where a committee chair has been dismissed or resigned and has not authorised vice-chairs to exercise their powers. The amendment is to take effect on 15 May this year. mf