Chamber of Deputies (Saint-Baptiste)

Chamber of Deputies Chambre des députés
8th term
History
Founded	1 July 1947
Leadership
Speaker	Christopher Baumé since 28 February 2015
Structure
Seats	14
Political groups	Government (8)   PAN (8) Official Opposition (5)   UCD (5) Other Opposition (1)   POB (1)
Elections
Voting system	First-past-the-post
Last election	17 February 2019
Next election	On or before 19 February 2023
Meeting place
Place Rose, Port-Anne
Website
www.chambredeputes.sb

The Chamber of Deputies (Principean: Chambre des députés) is the unicameral parliament of Saint-Baptiste. Formed in 1947 after the independence of the island state, the Chamber of Deputies makes up the legislative branch of the Baptistois government.

Consisting of fourteen deputies (Principean: député), the Chamber is elected every four years by first-past-the-post voting in single-member districts. Constitutionally, since 1990 the Chamber has held the power to legislate, debate, and pass ordinances and laws, as well as nominate the Prime Minister and their cabinet.

History

The interior of the Chamber of Deputies.

The Chamber of Deputies was initially set up as a 10-member legislative assembly in Saint-Baptiste's first constitution during independence negotiations in 1947, which gave the Chamber authority over drafting and voting on bills, although the President was granted an extensive veto power. The Chamber of Deputies however only met in session for less then a year, as the passing of the Security Act following the bombing of the Hôtel Royal in 1948 suspended the Chamber indefinitely as an emergency measure. The Security Act would be repealed in 1990 following the drafting of a new constitution, which gave a revived Chamber increased powers in a semi-presidential system, including the introduction of the position of Prime Minister, nominated by the Chamber. The first elections under this new constitution were held in 1991, and the Chamber of Deputies has met without interruption since.

Colloquially, the Chamber of Deputies is often referred to by local Baptistois and media as Place Rose ("Pink Square"), referring to the pink stucco and wood exterior of the three-building complex the Chamber resides in. Also included within this complex are the residences and offices of both the Prime Minister and the President.

Speaker

The speaker, officially the President of the Chamber of Deputies (Principean: Président de la Chambre des députés) is the presiding officer of the Chamber of Deputies. They are elected by their peers at the beginning of the legislative term, and their role includes directing and moderating debate, officiating discussion, and opening and ending legislative sessions.

The current speaker is Christopher Baumé of the National Action Party, who has held the position since 2015.

Last election

Party		Votes	%	Seats	+/-
	National Action Party	6,648	41.82	8	–2
	Democratic Centre Union	6,517	41.00	5	+2
	Baptistois Labour Party	1,770	11.14	1	0
	Fanmi	679	4.27	0	0
	Independent	281	1.77	0	New
Invalid/blank votes		106	–	–	–
Total		15,895	100	14	0
Registered voters/turnout		23,910	66.48	–	–

Composition since 1947

Bold indicates a party in government. Italics indicates a party involved in a confindence and supply agreement.

Political party		Deputies
		1947	1991	1995	1999	2003	2007	2011	2015	2019
	PAN			1	10	7	2	9	10	8
	UCD		6	14	3	6	10	4	3	5
	POB						1	1	1	1
	MRD		8
	Independent	10			1	1	1