Llywydd of the Senedd | |
---|---|
Llywydd Senedd Cymru | |
since 11 May 2016 | |
Senedd | |
Style | Llywydd (within Parliament) The Right Honourable (formal) |
Appointer | Senedd (elected by) |
Term length | No limits imposed |
Inaugural holder | Dafydd Elis-Thomas 12 May 1999 |
Formation | 1999 |
Unofficial names | Presiding Officer of the Senedd Llywydd / Presiding Officer of the Welsh Parliament |
Website | https://senedd.wales/senedd-business/llywydd/ |
This article is part of a series within the Politics of the United Kingdom on the |
Politics of Wales |
---|
The Llywydd (Welsh: [ˈɬəu̯.ɪð]), or Presiding Officer in English, is the speaker of the Senedd in Wales, elected by members of the Senedd to chair their meetings (plenary sessions); to maintain order; and to protect the rights of Members.
The Llywydd also heads the Corporate Body (known as the Senedd Commission) and as such is viewed as a figurehead for the entire organisation. One Deputy Presiding Officer[1] (Welsh: Dirprwy Lywydd) is also elected to help fulfil the role. The office of the Llywydd is based in Tŷ Hywel and is also responsible for the Pierhead Building in Cardiff Bay. In their roles, neither the Llywydd nor the Deputy Presiding Officer (Dirprwy Lywydd) are allowed to participate in Senedd votes, except where legislation requires those votes to be passed by two-thirds of Members.[2]