Legislative Assembly of Macau


The Legislative Assembly of the Macao Special Administrative Region is the organ of the legislative branch of Macau. It follows China's one country, two systems constitutional arrangement, and is the power centre of Macau's hybrid representative democracy.
It is a 33-member body comprising 14 directly elected members, 12 indirectly elected members representing functional constituencies and 7 members appointed by the chief executive. It is located at Sé.
The functions of the Legislative Assembly are to enact, amend or repeal laws; examine and approve budgets, taxation and public expenditure; and raise questions on the work of the government. In addition, the Legislative Assembly has the power to endorse the appointment and removal of the judges of the Macau Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court, as well as the power to impeach the Chief Executive of Macau.

Charter

The assembly has the following charter:
  1. To enact, amend, suspend or repeal laws
  2. To examine and approve budgets; and examine the report on audit
  3. To decide on taxation and approve debts to be undertaken by the government
  4. To debate the policy addresses by the Chief Executive
  5. To debate any issue concerning public interests
  6. To receive and handle complaints from Macau residents

    Legislative assembly buildings

The assembly sits at a special Legislative Assembly building, a modern three-storey structure located in the Nam Van area.
From 1784 to 1999, the Assembly met at the Leal Senado Building.

Selection methods

According to Annex II of the Basic Law of Macau, the first Legislative Assembly following the establishment of the special administrative region would be constituted in accordance with the Decision of the National People's Congress on the Methodology for the Formation of the First Government, the First Legislative Assembly and the Judicial Bodies of the Macau Special Administrative Region – i.e., 23 members: 8 directly elected, 8 indirectly elected and 7 appointed members.
The second Legislative Assembly would be composed of 27 members: 10 directly elected, 10 indirectly elected and 7 appointed members.
In accordance with Annex II, the number of directly elected legislators for the third Legislative Assembly increased from 10 to 12 in 2005, bringing the number of legislators to 29. After 2009, the selection of the Chief Executive may be changed with a vote of two-thirds of the Legislative Assembly and approval by the National People's Congress Standing Committee. Following 2012 reforms, the Legislative Assembly is now composed of 33 members: 14 directly elected, 12 indirectly elected and 7 appointed members.

Compositions