Belarus
House of Representatives
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Political system
Political systems: Presidential, Parliamentary, Presidential-Parliamentary, Monarchy, Communist, Transitional.
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Presidential-Parliamentary
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Structure of parliament
Structure of parliament: Unicameral, bicameral
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Bicameral
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IPU membership
Current membership status
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Yes
Law-making
Data on parliament’s law-making role and activities
Legislative activity
- Number of laws adopted by parliament, per year
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110(2023)
Notes:
In addition to Parliament and the Executive, 23 laws were initiated by the President of the Republic of Belarus in the 2016-2019 legislature.
Article 99 of the Constitution enshrines the right of a legislative initiative to belong to "the President, deputies of the House of Representatives, the Council of the Republic, the Government as well as to citizens eligible to vote, in a number of no less than 50 thousand."
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Total number of laws adopted by Parliament in the previous legislature
“Legislature” refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution.
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364(2024-03)
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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by parliament
In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.
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12(2024-03)
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Number of laws adopted in the previous legislature that were initiated by the government
In some cases other entities have the right to initiate legislation in national parliaments – such as citizens, autonomous regions, and other high-level government institutions.
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352(2024-03)
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Percentage of laws initiated by parliament in the previous legislature
The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of the laws adopted that were initiated by parliament by the total number of laws adopted in the previous legislature.
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3%(2024-03)
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Dates of the previous legislature
Refers to the full period between the first session of a new legislature until it’s dissolution
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06 Dec 2019 to 22 Mar 2024(2024-03)
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Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislationNot applicable; The legislation cannot be adopted unless both chambers agree; The decision of the lower chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; The decision of the upper chamber will take effect after a certain deadline; Other (please specify) For bicameral parliaments: Outcome when the two chambers cannot agree on a piece of draft legislation
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Other
Notes:
If a draft law is rejected by the Council of the Republic, both Houses may form a conciliatory commission on a parity basis to overcome the existing disagreement. The text of the draft law agreed by the conciliatory commission shall be submitted for approval to both Houses.
If the conciliatory commission fails to pass a compromise draft law, the President or the Government on his instructions may request that the House of Representatives take a final decision. The law shall be deemed to be adopted by the House of Representatives if no less than two thirds of the full composition of the House of Representatives voted for it.
Sources: Article 100 of the Constitution, Article 65 of the Law "On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus"
Executive-legislative relations
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Legislation adopted by parliament requires the assent of the Head of State
In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
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Not applicable
Notes:
The President of the Republic of Belarus signs bills and has the right to return a bill or some of its provisions with specified objections to the House of Representatives. After both houses have reviewed the bill and objections -- and if a two-thirds majority of both chambers vote in favour of the bill (either with or without the President's objections included) -- the President must sign the law. And even if the President does not sign -- it will still become law.
The general procedure is that laws shall be published immediately after their signature and shall become valid ten days after their publication unless the law determines another term.
Sources:
Constitution, art. 84, para. 24, 100 and 104
Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus”, art. 60 -
Number of times the Head of State declined to give assent to legislation, per year
In some countries, the Constitution foresees that legislation adopted by parliament must be signed into law by the Head of State. If so, the Head of State may, for example, have the power to veto the legislation, return it to parliament, or submit it to another body such as a constitutional court.
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0(2023)
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Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation
Consequences when the Head of State declines to give assent to legislation: Not applicable; No further action is taken. The legislation is rejected; The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination; The legislation is referred to the Constitutional/Supreme Court;The legislation is put to a referendum; Other (please specify)
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The legislation is returned to Parliament for re-examination
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Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree
Final decision when parliament and the Head of State do not agree: Not applicable; Parliament; Head of State; Constitutional/Supreme Court; Other (please specify)
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Parliament
Notes: The President can return a bill with objections outlined to the House of Representatives, which shall consider them within thirty days. If the bill is adopted by the House of Representatives by a two-thirds majority, the bill along with the President's objections are passed to the Council of the Republic (within five days), which then has twenty days to consider the bill and the President's objections. The bill is deemed approved if two-thirds majority of the Council of the Republic vote in favour. After both houses have reviewed the President's objections (whether they are accepted or not), it shall be signed by the President within five days. And even if it is not signed, it still becomes law.
Sources: Constitution, art. 100
Existence of a procedure to introduce emergency legislation
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There is a procedure for introducing emergency legislation into parliament
In some countries, the Constitution may allow the government to submit emergency legislation to parliament. The provision may, for example, allow the government to set a deadline for parliament to debate a particular bill. The procedure may also be referred to differently depending on the parliament, for e.g., urgent proceedings. In general, this is a formalized procedure that involves speeding up the passage of legislation by circumventing normal processes.
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No information available