A quorum is the number of legislators necessary for a deliberative body to discuss a certain matter.
From the Latin quorum , a quorum is the number of individuals needed for a deliberative or parliamentary body to discuss certain matters and make a valid determination . This is a very important legal concept in the field of politics .
We have to say that this concept originated in the United Kingdom . Specifically, it arose from a court that existed previously and was called Justices of the quorum . The uniqueness of this body was that it had established that for a decision to be considered valid, the presence of one of its members was vital.
Importance of quorum
It is possible that a quorum is required to discuss a specific issue (in this case, the session cannot begin until there is a minimum number of attendees) or that it is essential to reach an agreement (a valid majority is required in voting). ).
Quorum can be achieved in several ways. The quorum by simple majority or ordinary majority requires, to approve a certain decision, more votes in favor than against.
The absolute majority is one that is achieved with more than half of the votes of the members that make up the session. For example: in an assembly with twenty members, the absolute majority is obtained with eleven votes. In the case of a parliamentary body with ten members, the absolute majority comes with six votes.
The qualified majority or special majority , finally, requires more votes than an ordinary majority or requires some additional requirements (a minimum percentage of votes, a minimum of valid votes, etc.).
Quorum can be achieved in different ways.
Differences according to countries
In the case of the United States , the Constitution , which was approved in 1788 , makes it perfectly established that both the Senate and the House of Representatives , integrated into Congress , must have a quorum of at least a simple majority of the members. that make it up.
If we talk about Spain , we have to say the Magna Carta of 1978 clearly expresses what the necessary quorum is for both what would be the Congress of Deputies and the Senate . Thus, for example, it determines that, as a general rule, both chambers must have a quorum of approval of the majority of the members present to approve agreements.
However, it also does not overlook the fact of establishing that another type of quorum will be necessary for another series of issues of great importance and depth. Thus, for example, an absolute majority of deputies will be needed to approve agreements related to the reform of the Chamber 's regulations, organic laws, the authorization of a state of siege or a motion of censure. On the other hand, a quorum of 3/5 of members of Congress and the Senate is established to proceed with the approval of reforms to the Constitution .
Attendance quorum
In the case of the attendance quorum , it is a common tool to prevent topics that oppose the interests of a sector from being discussed.
A group decides not to go to parliament and, in this way, does not provide a quorum for a session to take place that could lead to measures contrary to their interests.