About the Chamber of Deputies - Petitions
About the Chamber of Deputies
The Chamber of Deputies represents the country. It exercises legislative power and oversees the actions of the Government.
The role, duties, organisation and operation of the Chamber of Deputies are governed by a number of provisions contained in the Constitution and its Rules of Procedure.
The Chamber of Deputies is made up of 60 deputies elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage. To be eligible to vote, you must be a Luxembourger and at least 18 years old.
Main tasks
In short…
Legislating is the primary vocation of the Chamber of Deputies, which is therefore referred to as the legislative power. Even if, in most cases, it is the Government which proposes laws, the decision to adopt them rests with the Parliament.
The Parliament’s two other main functions are to scrutinise the Government by various means (questions, interpellations, etc.) and to steer political debate (either on its own initiative or at the request of the Government).
The Chamber of Deputies is also required to make certain appointments to posts defined in its Rules of Procedure.
The Parliament’s activities are not limited to the country’s domestic affairs. The Chamber of Deputies is increasingly involved in decision-making processes on European level.
How does the Chamber of Deputies control the Government?
The Chamber of Deputies has a power of control over government action, which it exercises in a variety of ways, including financial, administrative and political matters.
Budget:
How does the Chamber of Deputies control the Government?
Each year, the State’s future budget is put to the vote in the Chamber of Deputies. At the same time, the House must approve the accounts for the previous financial year. The Chamber’s control is also exercised through the Budget Implementation Control Committee. The latter analyses the opinions and special reports of the Court of Audit concerning the financial management of the State or subjects that the Court has asked it to deal with. It can also initiate discussions with the relevant members of the Government on the Court of Audit’s observations.
Questions:
Asking ministers for explanation
MPs may submit questions on current political events or of general interest to members of the Government. These questions are put orally in public session or in writing. The relevant ministers provide answers to written questions within one month. Urgent questions that have been declared admissible are dealt with in public session or answered in writing within one week.
Interpellations:
Asking ministers for justification
Each MP has the right to submit an interpellation to the Government. This is a written request for public discussion that must be limited to matters of public interest.
The right of enquiry:
Examining possible government or administrative malfunctions
The Chamber of Deputies has the right of enquiry. The law governs the exercise of this right. A committee of enquiry must be set up if requested by at least one third of the Deputies (Art. 81 of the Constitution). This right may be exercised by the Chamber or, as it generally is the case, by a committee of enquiry. It applies in particular when the Government or the administration are accused of malfunctioning. The enquiry may only relate to a matter of public interest, excluding any matter of an individual or private nature.
The right of enquiry allows witnesses to be heard and experts to be consulted. The members of the committee of enquiry may take any investigative measures provided for in the Code of Criminal Procedure.
Right of accusation:
Impeaching ministers
The Chamber of Deputies has the right to indict members of the Government. Charges against ministers are brought before the Superior Court of Justice. To date, the House has never exercised this right.
Petitions:
ensuring that complaints or requests are founded
The Chamber of Deputies examines petitions addressed to it within the Petitions Committee. When it deems necessary, it may refer them to the Government and demand explanations regarding the issue.
Legal framework of the Chamber of Deputies
The institutional role of the Chamber of Deputies is defined by a set of texts that strictly govern its organisation.
Constitution
As the supreme legislative text, the Constitution provides a framework for the organisation of the State and defines the terms of the separation of powers.
Electoral law
The electoral law defines the framework within which the vote of citizens can be freely and democratically expressed.
Rules of Procedure
The organisation and operation of the Chamber of Deputies are set out in its Rules of Procedure. They also include details of the legislative procedure, as well as special procedures such as appointments.