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Revision as of 04:38, 5 September 2020

Chamber of Deputies

Chambre des députés
8th term
Coat of arms or logo
History
Founded1 July 1947
Leadership
Speaker
Christopher Baumé
since 28 February 2015
Structure
Seats14
Saint-BaptisteChamberofDeputies.png
Political groups
Government (8)
  •   PAN (8)

Official Opposition (5)

Other Opposition (1)

Elections
First-past-the-post
Last election
17 February 2019
Next election
On or before 19 February 2023
Meeting place
BahamianParliamentPanorama.jpg
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 The Security Act would be repealed in 1990 following the drafting of a new constitution, which gave a revived Chamber increased powers in a semi-presidential system, including the introduction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