TNAG-2496-FCO40-3632-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macao-(Macau)-1992 — Page 181

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central authorities;

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(14) Approve the introduction of motions regarding revenue or expenditure to the Legislative Council;

(15) Decide, in the light of security and major public interests, whether government officials or other personnel in charge of government affairs should testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council or the commissions under it;

(16) Award medals and confer titles of honour of the Macao SAR;

(17) Pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute their sentences; and

(18) Handle petitions and complaints.

Article 52. If the chief executive considers that a bill passed by the Legislative Council is not compatible with the overall interests of the Macao SAR, he/she may return it to the Legislative Council within 90 days for reconsideration. If the Legislative Council passes the original bill again by no less than a two-thirds majority, the Chief Executive must sign and implement it within 30 days, or act in accordance with the provisions of Article 53 of this law.

Article 53. The chief executive of the Macao SAR may dissolve the Legislative Council under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When the chief executive refuses to sign a bill passed by the Legislative Council for a second time; and

(2) When the Legislative Council refuses to pass the budget or bills introduced by the government which the chief executive believes affect the overall interests of the Macao SAR, and when consensus still cannot be reached after consultations.

Before dissolving the Legislative Council, the chief executive should ask for opinions from the Executive Council. In dissolving the Legislative Council, the chief executive shall explain the reasons to the public.

A chief executive can dissolve the Legislative Council only once in each term of office.

Article 54. When the budget bill presented by the government is not passed by the Legislative Council, the chief executive of the Macao SAR may approve temporary short-term appropriations according to the level of the previous fiscal year's expenditure.

Article 55. The chief executive shall have to resign under any of the following circumstances:

(1) When he/she loses the ability to discharge the functions of his/her office due to serious illness or other

reasons;

(2) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because he/she twice refuses to sign the bill it passes, the new Legislative Council again passes the original bill in dispute with a two-thirds majority and he/she refuses to sign the bill within 30 days; and

(3) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because it refuses to approve the budget or other bills which affect the overall interests of the Macao SAR, the new Legislative Council still refuses to pass the original bill in dispute.

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Article 56. If the chief executive of the Macao SAR is not able to discharge his/her duties for a brief period, such duties shall temporarily be assumed by the secretary of the various departments according to the established order of precedence. The order of precedence shall be established by law.

In the event that the office of the chief executive becomes vacant, a new chief executive shall be selected within 120 days in accordance with Article 48 of this law. During the period of vacancy, his/her duties shall be assumed according to the provisions of the preceding paragraph. The assumption of his/her duties shall be reported to the central people's government for approval. The acting chief executive shall observe the provisions of Article 50 of this law.

Article 57. The Executive Council of the Macao SAR is an

organ for assisting the chief executive in policymaking.

Article 58. Members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be appointed by the chief executive from among the principal officials of the government, members of the Legislative Council and public figures. Their appointment and removal shall be decided by the chief executive. The term of office of members shall not exceed that of the chief executive who appoints them. Members of the Executive Council shall remain in office temporarily before the appointment of the new chief executive.

Members of the Executive Council of the Macao SAR

shall be Chinese nationals who are permanent residents of the region.

The chief executive may invite other persons concerned to sit in at council meetings as he/she deems necessary.

Article 59. The Executive Council of the Macao SAR shall be presided over by the chief executive. The Executive Council shall meet at least once a month. Except for the appointment, removal, disciplining of public officers, and the adoption of measures in emergencies, the chief executive shall consult the Executive Council before making important decisions, introducing a bill to the Legislative Council, enacting administrative regulations, or dissolving the Legislative Council.

If the chief executive does not adopt a majority opinion of the Executive Council, he/she must put his/her specific reasons on record.

Article 60. A Commission Against Corruption shall be established in the Macao SAR. It shall function independently. The commissioner shall be accountable to the chief executive.

Article 61. A Commission of Audit shall be established in the Macao SAR. It shall function independently. The auditor- general shall be accountable to the chief executive.

Section 2: The Executive Authorities

Article 62. The government of the Macao SAR is the executive authority of the region.

Article 63. The chief executive of the Macao SAR is the head of the government of the region. The government of the Macao SAR shall establish departments, bureaus, divisions and offices.