Speaker of the National Assembly

The 'Speaker of the National Assembly is the presiding officer of the National Assembly. The Speaker is tasked with scheduling votes on legislation, making appointments to committees--with the consultation and advice of the Government Floor Leader and the Opposition Leader--and presiding over debate.

At the beginning of each assembly session, the Assembly elects a speaker from its ranks. The Chief Justice of the National Court briefly serves as acting Speaker until the Speaker is elected. Upon election, the Speaker then immediately convenes an election for Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor.

Depending on the size of the government's majority, the relationship between the Chancellor and the Speaker, and the composition of the governing coalition, the Speaker may have a more enhanced or diminished role in policymaking. Unlike other parliamentary democracies, the Speaker is not required to resign from their party upon election, and is instead allowed to maintain party membership--which all have done. After an election, the Chancellor-designate unofficially recommends a Speaker candidate to their governing coalition, which usually results in that candidate's election.