FE/1129 C1/5
Article 54. If the Legislative Council of the Macao SAR refuses to pass the budget introduced by the government, the Chief Executive may approve provisional short-term appropriations according to the level of expenditure of the previous fiscal year.
Article 55. The Chief Executive of the Macao SAR must resign under any of the following circumstances:
(1) When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons;
(2) When, after the Legislative Council has been dissolved because he or she has twice refused to sign a bill passed by it, the new Legislative Council again passes by a two-thirds majority of all the members the original disputed bill but he or she still refuses to sign it within 30 days; and
(3) When, after the Legislative Council has been dissolved because of its refusal to pass a budget or any other bills concerning the overall interests of the region and the new Legislative Council still refuses to pass the original disputed bill.
Article 56. If the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR is unable to discharge his or her duties for a short period, such duties shall temporarily be assumed by other secretaries in order of precedence. This order of precedence is provided for by law.
In the event that the office of Chief Executive becomes vacant, a new Chief Executive shall be selected within 120 days in accordance with the provisions of Article 48 of this Law. During the period of vacancy, his or her duties shall be assumed according to the provisions in Article 50 of this Law and the provisions in the preceding paragraph.
Article 57. The Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be a body assisting the Chief Executive in policy making.
Article 58. Members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be appointed or removed by the Chief Executive. The term of office of members of the Executive Council shall not extend beyond the expiry of the term of office of the Chief Executive who appoints them. Before a new Chief Executive is appointed, the original members of the Executive Council shall temporarily remain in office.
Members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the region.
The Chief Executive may, as he or she deems necessary, invite other persons concerned to sit in on meetings of the Council.
Article 59. The Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be presided over by the Chief Executive. Meetings of the Executive Council will be held at least once a month. Except for the appointment, removal and disciplining of officials and the adoption of measures in emergencies, the Chief Executive shall consult the Executive Council before making important policy decisions, introducing bills to the Legislative Council, making subordinate legislation or dissolving the Legislative Council.
20 Jul 91
If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of the Executive Council, he or she will put their specific reasons on record.
Article 60. A Commission Against Corruption will be established in the Macao SAR. It will function independently and the commissioner will be accountable to the Chief
Executive.
Article 61. A Commission of Audit will be established in the Macao SAR. It will function independently and the chief auditor will be accountable to the Chief Executive.
Section 2: The Executive Authorities
Article 62. The government of the Macao SAR will be the executive authority of the region.
Article 63. The head of the government of the Macao SAR will be the Chief Executive of the Region. Various departments, divisions and commissions will be established within the government of the Macao SAR,
Article 64. The principal officials of the Macao SAR will be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the region and have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 15 years.
Article 65. The government of the Macao SAR will exercise the following powers and functions:
(1) To formulate and implement policies;
(2) To conduct administrative affairs;
(3) To conduct external affairs as authorized by the central people's government under this Law;
(4) To draw up and introduce budgets and final accounts; (5) To introduce bills and motions and draft administrative laws and regulations;
(6) To designate officials to sit in on Legislative Council meetings or to speak on behalf of the government.
Article 66. The government of the Macao SAR must abide by the law and be accountable to the region's Legislative Council; it will implement laws passed by the Council and already in force, present regular policy addresses to the Council and it will answer questions raised by council members.
Article 67: The executive authorities of the Macao SAR may establish advisory bodies as necessary.
Section 3: The Legislature
Article 68. The Legislative Council of the Macao SAR will be the legislature of the region.
Article 69. The Legislative Council of the Macao SAR will be composed of permanent residents of the region. However, permanent residents of the region who are not of Chinese nationality may also be elected members of the Legislative Council, provided that the proportion of such members does not exceed 20% of the total council membership.
Article 70. Most members of the Legislative Council of the Macao SAR will be appointed by election.
The specific methods for forming the Legislative Council are prescribed in Annex II: “Methods for Formation of the Legislative Council of the Macao SAR.”