Vice-Presidents of the Chambers: benefits and blue cars, because their election is so important

Elected the presidents of the chambers, amidst twists, clashes in the majority and controversy, now we move on to the next step: first the new group leaders, then the election of the vice-presidents of the Chamber and Senate, of the Quaestors and of the classroom secretaries. Then only with the government in office, the game will open on the guidance of the commissions. The internal challenge to the opposition has already begun, since four vice-presidencies of the Chambers belong to the three oppositions, Pd, M5S and Terzo Polo. For tomorrow (Wednesday) the square must be found, when the parliamentarians meet again in Montecitorio and Palazzo Madama. The Democratic Party clarifies: if the political agreement is not reached, the representation in Parliament will be weighed as it came out of the polls. A message to Matteo Renzi who has returned to fear an under-the-table agreement between the dem and the 5 Star Movement. Two vice-presidents each, one in the Senate and one in the House, should go to Democrats and 5 Stars, who got more than double the votes compared to the calendians. The other two go to the majority.

Vice-presidents, quaestors, functions and powers, because the election of the vice-presidents of the chambers is such an important game. Let’s try to understand.

Benefits and powers of the Bureau: even the blue car

Fifteen parliamentarians in the Chamber and fifteen in the Senate with the presidents govern the fate and functioning of the two chambers. Among the benefits available to them: an office, collaborators paid by the Chamber to which they belong and the possibility of using a blue car to carry out institutional tasks outside the Palaces. The two branches of Parliament are called upon to elect the members of the Presidency Office (which in the Senate is called the Presidency Council), which is chaired by the President of the Assembly and is composed of four vice-presidents, three Quaestors and eight secretaries. The latter have the task of collaborating with the president to ensure the regularity of the votes in the Assembly. All the members of the Bureau then receive a special allowance; in addition they can hire external collaborators of their own trust (in this case, the costs are borne by the Chamber to which they belong).

The election of the presidential offices

On Wednesday 19 October the classrooms meet for the completion of the presidential offices, which will assist the presidents of the Chamber and Senate. It is a vote with a strong political value, as these are roles that also belong to the oppositions for a balance of guarantees and powers. Normally we proceed with agreements signed between the minority forces (but the majority votes are also decisive) to ensure representation for all the political forces present in Parliament. However, the split that is taking place between the three main opposition forces, Pd, M5s and Terzo Polo, could reserve surprises in the secret of the urn. So much so that Iv and Action have already threatened the use of Colle in the case of expulsion from office, accusing dem and pentastellati of under-the-table agreements.

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of the Chamber

The Chamber of Deputies is convened for Wednesday 19 October at 2 pm for the election of four vice-presidents, three Quaestors and eight secretaries for the purpose of setting up the Bureau. Each deputy writes on his ballot two names for the vice-presidents, two for the Quaestors, four for the Secretaries. Those who have obtained the highest number of votes in the first ballot are elected. All parliamentary groups must be represented in the Bureau. If, following the voting, one or more groups are not represented, a corresponding number of secretaries is elected, which takes place in a subsequent session. The vice presidents collaborate with the president; for this purpose they can be summoned by him whenever he deems it appropriate. They replace the president in case of absence or impediment. The Quaestors also play an important role: they collectively look after the good performance of the administration of the Chamber, supervising the application of the relative rules and directives of the President.

They supervise the expenses of the Chamber and prepare the draft budget and the final account. They also supervise the ceremonial and the maintenance of order in the seat of the Chamber according to the dispositions of the president. The secretaries supervise the drafting of the minutes and read them; form, in the order of the requests, the list of Members registered to speak; read the proposals and documents; they take note of the resolutions; proceed to the appeals; they collaborate with the President to ensure the regularity of the voting operations; record, when necessary, the individual votes; they ensure that the shorthand report is published within the deadline prescribed by the President and that there is no alteration of the speeches; contribute to the regular progress of the Chamber’s proceedings according to the provisions of the President. As a whole, the Bureau carries out essential functions for the functioning of the Institution (for example, it decides the appeals regarding the constitution or the first convocation of the groups, as well as the appeals of the groups on the composition of the parliamentary committees; of the President, the Secretary General of the Chamber; decides any sanctions against deputies).

Vice-Presidents and Quaestors of the Senate

The hall of Palazzo Madama is also convened on Wednesday 19 October but at 3 pm to elect four vice-presidents, three quaestors and eight secretaries. Each senator writes on his ballot two names for the vice-presidents, two for the quaestors, four for the secretaries. Those who obtain the highest number of votes are elected. In the event of equal votes, the most senior in age is elected.

As for the roles and powers, the vice-presidents replace the president in the direction of the debates and in the duties of representation of the Senate in public ceremonies. The president of the Senate appoints the vice president in charge of exercising his functions in case of temporary impediment. The Quaestors collectively oversee the police, the Senate services and the ceremonial; prepare the draft budget and the final account of the Senate; they manage the funds available to the Senate, even individually in the cases provided for by the internal regulations of the Administration; the secretaries oversee the drafting of the minutes of the public sittings and draft that of the secret sittings; keep track of the senators registered to speak; read the minutes and, at the request of the chairman, any other act and document that must be communicated to the Assembly; they make the roll call; ascertain the results of the votes; they supervise the fidelity of the reports of the sessions; they draw up the minutes of the meetings of the Presidential Council and generally assist the President in the regular progress of the Senate’s work. As a whole, the Presidential Council, chaired by the President of the Senate, deliberates the draft budget of the Senate, the changes in the appropriations of the chapters and the final account; deliberates the sanctions against the senators; appoints, on the proposal of the president, the general secretary of the Senate; approves the internal regulations of the Senate Administration and adopts the provisions relating to the personnel themselves. The Presidential Council adopts the Code of Conduct for Senators.