Page:British and Foreign State Papers, vol. 144 (1952).djvu/346

 162. It shall be the function of the Prime Minister to despatch with the President of the RepubicRepublic [sic] matters of general policy of the Government, and, accompanied by the Ministers, the matters of the respective departments.

163. The responsibilities of the Ministers are:

(a) To fulfil and see to the fulfilment of the Constitution, laws, decree-laws, decrees, regulations and other resolutions and provisions.

(b) To draw up bills, regulations, decrees and any other resolutions and present them for consideration of the Government.

(c) To countersign, jointly with the Prime Minister, the laws and other documents authenticated by the signature of the President of the Republic, except decrees appointing or removing Ministers.

(d) To appear before Congress, on their own initiative or at the instance of either of its bodies, to report before them, reply to interpellations, take part in their debates, and individually or collectively raise questions of confidence.

A Minister who is a member of Congress shall be entitled to vote only in the body to which he belongs.

Sole Section.—Relations between Congress and the Government

164. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are responsible for their acts of government, before the House and the Senate. These bodies can grant confidence to or withhold it from the Prime Minister, a Minister or the Cabinet as a whole, in the manner specified in this Constitution.

165. Each co-legislative body can determine the total or partial removal of the Cabinet, raising a question of confidence, which shall be presented by means of a motion, stating its grounds, in writing, and with the signature of at least onethird of its members. This motion shall be reported immediately to the other members of the respective body and shall be discussed and voted on one week after its presentation. If not resolved on within 2 weeks after the said presentation it shall be considered rejected.

In order that these motions may be validly approved, an affirmative majority vote, always by roll call, of one more than