The Assembly of the Representatives of the People is holding a plenary session this Monday, 19 January, starting at 10:00 a.m., devoted to the election of the members of the sovereign standing committees, according to an official statement released by the parliamentary institution.
Thirteen committees at the heart of parliamentary work
The Tunisian Parliament has thirteen sovereign standing committees, entrusted with legislative, oversight and electoral responsibilities. In particular, these committees examine draft laws and legislative proposals, discuss them, introduce amendments they deem necessary, and then submit them to the plenary session. They also consider all matters referred to them and monitor files and issues falling within their respective areas of competence, in accordance with Article 49 of the Rules of Procedure.
Mandatory committee membership for MPs
Under Article 50 of the Rules of Procedure, every Member of Parliament is required to belong to one sovereign standing committee, unless they are a member of the Bureau of the Assembly. This provision aims to ensure balanced and active participation by MPs in parliamentary work.
Composition and election rules
The General Legislation Committee and the Finance and Budget Committee each comprise 15 members. The other standing committees include between 10 and 11 members.
Committees are formed through election in plenary session, with due regard for the principle of proportional representation, as stipulated in Article 52 of the Rules of Procedure.
Committee leadership and functioning
The committee chair oversees its activities, manages its work, and presides over its meetings, which are convened after informing the President of the Assembly by any means that leaves a written record. In the chair’s absence, the vice-chair assumes the role; if both are absent, the rapporteur takes over, in line with Article 54 of the Rules of Procedure.
List of sovereign standing committees
The thirteen committees are as follows:
General Legislation Committee
Rights and Freedoms Committee
Foreign Relations, International Cooperation, Tunisians Abroad and Migration Committee
Finance and Budget Committee
Strategic Planning, Sustainable Development, Transport, Infrastructure and Urban Planning Committee
Agriculture, Food and Water Security and Fisheries Committee
Industry, Trade, Natural Resources, Energy and Environment Committee
Tourism, Culture, Services and Handicrafts Committee
Health, Women’s Affairs, Family, Social Affairs and Persons with Disabilities Committee
Education, Vocational Training, Scientific Research, Youth and Sports Committee
Administration Organization and Modernization, Digitalization, Governance and Anti-Corruption Committee
Defense, Security and Armed Forces Committee
Rules of Procedure, Electoral Laws, Parliamentary Laws and Electoral Function Committee
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
