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Politics & Government vocabulary · Parliament and Legislation

Speaker

Meaning in politics & government, with examples

/ˈspiːkə/nounCommon term

In politics & government, speaker means: The person chosen to chair the meetings of a parliament or one of its chambers, keep order during debates and represent the chamber officially.

In Turkish: meclis başkanı, TBMM Başkanı

How it is used

Usually written with a capital S as a title: the Speaker, the Speaker of the House. The Speaker calls MPs to speak, rules on questions of procedure and announces the results of votes. In many parliaments the Speaker is expected to be impartial.

Example sentences

  1. The Speaker asked members to stay calm and let the minister finish.

  2. MPs will elect a new Speaker when parliament returns in October.

Common collocations

  • the Speaker of the House
  • elect a Speaker
  • deputy speaker
  • Parliament Speaker
  • parliamentThe elected body of representatives that makes a country's laws, approves the budget and checks the work of the government.
  • MPShort for member of parliament: a person elected by voters in a particular area to represent them in parliament.
  • debateA formal discussion in which people, such as MPs or candidates, present different views on a subject, often before a decision or a vote.
  • legislatureThe elected body with the power to make, change and repeal laws, such as a parliament, congress or national assembly.

More terms: Parliament and Legislation

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