New Parline: the IPU’s Open Data Platform (beta)
Your one-stop-shop for information about national parliaments

Lesotho

-

National Assembly

This is a bicameral parliament. Switch to theSenate
Political system Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
Parliamentary system
Compare data of this field.
Structure of parliament Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
Bicameral
Compare data of this field.
IPU membership Current membership status
Yes
Compare data of this field.

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Yes
Compare data of this field.
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Yes
Compare data of this field.
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
No
Compare data of this field.
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
0
Number of written questions asked, per year
Not available
See historical data for this field. Compare data of this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
Not available
See historical data for this field. Compare data of this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Standing Orders

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Other (please specify)
Notes
Elected Speaker looks at the composition in the National Assembly, he/she takes the name of the Leader of a political party /coalition of political parties with a majority in the National Assembly to the Council of State which then sends the name to His Majesty.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 87
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Notes
Lesotho is a constitutional monarchy.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 44 §1

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Other (please specify)
Notes
Head of State
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 53
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The Head of Government
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 87 §5
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No