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Father of the House

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Father of the House is a title that has been traditionally bestowed, unofficially, on certain members of some legislatures, most notably the House of Commons in the United Kingdom. In some legislatures the title refers to the longest continuously serving member, while in others it refers to the oldest member. Recently, the title Mother of the House or Mother of Parliament has also been used, although the usage varies among countries; it is either the female alternative to Father of the House, being applied when the relevant member is a woman, or refers to the oldest or longest-serving woman without reference to male members.

United Kingdom

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Main article: Father of the House (United Kingdom)
Sir Edward Leigh, the incumbent Father of the UK House of Commons

The Father of the House is a title that is bestowed on the senior male member of the House of Commons who has the longest continuous service.[1][2] If two or more members have the same length of current uninterrupted service, then whoever was sworn in earlier, as listed in Hansard, is named as Father of the House.[3] Traditionally, however, the qualifications used for the Father of the House are not entirely clear and may have included the oldest member, the member with the longest aggregate service, or the member who entered the House longest ago.[2] The first recorded usage of the term dates to 1788, in an obituary of Thomas Noel.[1] In 2017, Harriet Harman was described as "Mother of the House" by Prime Minister Theresa May, in recognition of her status as the longest-continuously serving woman MP.[4] During speeches at the re-opening of Parliament after the 2024 General Election, Diane Abbott was also described as the "Mother of the House" by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and then Leader of the Opposition Rishi Sunak.[5]

The only formal duty of the Father of the House is to preside over the election of the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Father of the House may also participate in ceremonial events, and is the second member to be sworn in after the Speaker.[6]

Among the twentieth-century Fathers, there were several very prominent figures; four former Prime Ministers became Father of the House,[7] and a fifth, Henry Campbell-Bannerman, was simultaneously Father of the House and Prime Minister from 22 May 1907 until shortly before his death on 22 April 1908.[1][8]

Devolved legislatures

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In the Senedd of Wales, Father of the House is an official title bestowed on the longest-serving Member of the Senedd. The first to hold the title was Rod Richards, who was the first member to be sworn in following the first election to the legislature in 1999, while the current father is John Griffiths, who was also elected in 1999.[9][10][11] In the Scottish Parliament, both Father of the House and Mother of the House are used for the longest serving Members of the Scottish Parliament.[12][13] The current mother is Christine Grahame while the current father is John Swinney, who were both first elected at the 1999 Scottish Parliament election.[14][15] The Northern Ireland Assembly also grants the title of Father of the House to its longest serving male member.[16][17] The current father is Alan Chambers.[18]

Australia

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Main article: List of longest-serving members of the Parliament of Australia

The titles "Father of the House" and "Father of the Senate" are sometimes used to refer to the members of each chamber of the Parliament of Australia with the longest continuous service.[19] The current Father of the House is Bob Katter (MP since 1993) and the current Mother of the Senate is Penny Wong (senator since 2002).

According to House of Representatives Practice, the title Father of the House is a "completely informal designation" with "no functions attached to it".[20] The equivalent publication for the Senate, Odgers' Australian Senate Practice, describes the title Father of the Senate as "now seldom referred to or used". It also notes that "as no woman senator has ever been in this situation, it is not clear what the title would be in that circumstance".[21]

Canada

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Main article: Dean of the House (Canada)

The longest-serving member of the House of Commons who is not a cabinet minister is known as the Dean of the House, and presides over the election of the Speaker at the beginning of each Parliament. The current Dean of the House is Bloc Québécois MP Louis Plamondon, who was first elected to the Commons as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party in 1984 and serving as the Dean of the House since 2008.

Czech Republic

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In the Chamber of Deputies, if previous President of the Chamber of Deputies or his deputies are not elected, the oldest MP serves as the Acting President presiding over the constitutive session, before new president is elected.[22]

In the Senate, if previous President of the Senate or his deputies are not elected for the next term, the oldest Senator serves as the Acting President presiding over the opening session gathered every two years, before election of the new president.[23]

European Parliament

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Main article: Oldest Member (European Parliament)

Until 2009, the oldest member of the European Parliament presided over the opening of a new session and the election of the President of the European Parliament.[24]

Finland

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Member Born Entered parliament Became oldest member
Iisakki Hoikka 1840 1907 1907–1908
John Hedberg 1840 1908 1908–1909
Leo Mechelin 1839 1910 1910–1913
John Hedberg 1840 1908 1914
Axel Lille 1848 1916 1917
Rabbe Wrede 1851 1910 1917–1918
Wilhelmi Malmivaara 1854 1907 1919
Artur Wuorimaa 1854 1907 1920–1921
Waldemar Bergroth 1852 1917 1922–1926
Juho Torppa 1859 1907 1927–1929
Anders Forsberg 1864 1924 1929–1930
Pehr Evind Svinhufvud 1861 1907 1930–1931
K. J. Ståhlberg 1865 1908 1932
Matti Paasivuori 1866 1907 1933–1935
Miina Sillanpää 1866 1907 1936–1947
Akseli Brander 1876 1933 1948–1950
Väinö Tanner 1881 1907 1951–1953
Matti Lahtela 1881 1930 1954–1957
Väinö Tanner 1881 1907 1958–1961
Raino Hallberg 1890 1951 1962–1965
Kustaa Tiitu 1896 1945 1966–1969
Rafael Paasio 1903 1948 1970–1975
Evald Häggblom 1905 1966 1975, 1976
V. J. Sukselainen 1906 1948 1976–1978
Mikko Kaarna 1911 1960 1979–1982
Tuure Junnila 1910 1951 1983–1986
Johannes Virolainen 1914 1945 1987–1989
Tuure Junnila 1910 1951 (again 1990) 1990
Maunu Kohijoki 1923 1987 1991–1994
Martti Tiuri 1925 1983 1995–2002
Kalevi Lamminen 1935 1987 2003–2006
Claes Andersson 1937 1987 2007–2008
Jacob Söderman[25] 1938 1972 2008[26][27]-2010
Kauko Tuupainen 1940 2011 2011–2013
Jörn Donner 1933 1987 (again 2013) 2014
Pertti Salolainen 1940 1970 2015–2018
Erkki Tuomioja 1946 1970 2019–2022
Kimmo Kiljunen 1951 1995 2023–

Germany

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Main article: President by right of age of the Bundestag

Starting with the Frankfurter Nationalversammlung (Frankfurt Parliament) of 1848, and based on older regional traditions, basically all German nation-wide, state-level and lower parliaments had a father of the House at the start of each legislative period, usually called Alterspräsident (President by right of age). This elder statesman steps forward to break the tie among equal members, to open the proceedings and to arrange the very first self-organizing election without external help from e.g. parliament employees. Then, the elected president takes over.

This tradition was continued from the North German Confederation into the 1871 German Empire (also known as Weimar Republic after 1918) and, after being discontinued in Nazi Germany, was resumed in 1949 by the present Parliament (Bundestag) in the Federal Republic until it was discontinued again before the 2017 German federal election to prevent any member of the upcoming Alternative for Germany (AfD), or any other new party, as the position was changed to refer to the longest sitting member. Thus the meaning of Alter (age, literally oldness) was shifted from Lebensalter (age of life) to Dienstalter (age of service).

In accordance with tradition up to 2013, the Alterspräsident first ascertained himself that he was indeed the oldest member of the Bundestag by stating his date of birth and asking if anyone is present who was born before this date. If no older member of the Bundestag was present he would formally declare that he indeed is the Alterspräsident and will start proceedings. Starting from 2017, the prospective Alterspräsident states the number of years served in the Bundestag and asks if anyone has served more years.

The Alterspräsident then greets the present members and delivers the first programmatic speech. After appointing members to write down notes, the identity, affiliation to parties or factions and number of members is checked. The largest faction usually is asked who they propose as candidate for president, and according to another tradition, this candidate is then elected without much controversy. After supervising the election of the President of the Bundestag the Alterspräsident immediately yields his power to the elected president who, after receiving congratulations, takes over. The newly elected president will in turn supervise the elections of the Vice Presidents who form the Presidium of the Bundestag that organizes parliament sessions. Usually, each recognized faction proposes a candidate that is elected without much controversy. Since 2017, none of over 40 AfD candidates has been elected as Bundestags-Vizepräsident, though, while some state parliaments have elected an AfD vice president. In addition, the factions appoint members for the Ältestenrat, the Council of Elders of the Bundestag, which organizes the parliament work behind the scenes.

The rules of order of the Bundestag also state that the Alterspräsident shall preside over sessions of the Bundestag at any given time during a legislative period, if the whole Presidium (i.e. the President and the Vice Presidents of the Bundestag) is altogether unable to perform its duties. With the number of vice presidents growing over time, this became unlikely.

As the Alterspräsident's opening speech usually draws a certain amount of public attention, the position has recently attracted controversy, when after German Reunification the Party of Democratic Socialism (the successor of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany which had ruled communist East Germany) obtained the position by including aged independents (writer Stefan Heym in 1994, Fred Gebhardt in 1998) in their party lists. In 2017, facing the new AfD, the Bundestag changed its rules of procedure to have the member with the longest service in the Bundestag serve as father of the house, rather than the oldest member.[28]

Alterspräsidenten of the German Bundestag
Bundestag Name Term Parliamentary
party 		Notes
1 1949–1953 Paul Löbe
(1875–1967)		 1949–1953 SPD longtime Reichstagspräsident during the Weimar Republic
2 1953–1957 Marie Elisabeth Lüders
(1878–1966)		 1953–1957 FDP stood in for Konrad Adenauer, the oldest member, who refused the position due to his position as Chancellor
3 1957–1961 Marie Elisabeth Lüders 1957–1961 FDP
4 1961–1965 Robert Pferdmenges
(1880–1962)		 1961–1962 CDU
Konrad Adenauer
(1876–1967)		 1963–1965 CDU assumed the position after his resignation as Chancellor[citation needed]
5 1965–1969 Konrad Adenauer 1965–1967 CDU died in 1967
William Borm
(1895–1987)		 1967–1969 FDP
6 1969–1972 William Borm 1969–1972 FDP
7 1972–1976 Ludwig Erhard
(1897–1977)		 1972–1976 CDU
8 1976–1980 Ludwig Erhard 1976–1977 CDU died in 1977
Johann Baptist Gradl
(1904–1988)		 1977–1980 CDU
9 1980–1983 Herbert Wehner
(1906–1990)		 1980–1983 SPD
10 1983–1987 Willy Brandt
(1913–1992)		 1983–1987 SPD stood in for Egon Franke, who refused the position because of criminal investigations conducted against him at the beginning of the legislative period
11 1987–1990 Willy Brandt 1987–1990 SPD
12 1990–1994 Willy Brandt 1990–1992 SPD died in 1992
Alfred Dregger
(1920–2002)		 1992–1994 CDU
13 1994–1998 Stefan Heym
(1913–2001)		 1994–1995 PDS resigned his seat in 1995
Alfred Dregger (1920–2002) 1995–1998 CDU
14 1998–2002 Fred Gebhardt
(1928–2000)		 1998–2000 PDS died in 2000
Hans-Eberhard Urbaniak
(born 1929)		 2000–2002 SPD
15 2002–2005 Otto Schily
(born 1932)		 2002–2005 SPD
16 2005–2009 2005–2009 SPD
17 2009–2013 Heinz Riesenhuber
(born 1935)		 2009–2013 CDU
18 2013–2017 2013–2017 CDU
19 2017–2021 Hermann Otto Solms
(born 1940, member of parliament for 33 years, 1980–2013 and 2017–2021)		 2017–2021 FDP The first father of the house under the changed rules of procedure. Stood in for Wolfgang Schäuble (member of parliament for 45 years, since 1972), who was nominated (and subsequently elected) President of the Bundestag, so that he would not have to preside over his own election.
20 since 2021 Wolfgang Schäuble
(1942–2023, member of parliament 1972–2023)		 2021–2023 CDU
Peter Ramsauer
(born 1954, member of parliament since 1990)		 since 2023 CSU

Hong Kong

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Main article: Senior Unofficial Member

In Hong Kong, there is no such term as "Father of the House". Instead, the longest-serving member was termed the Senior Unofficial Member and was the highest-ranking unofficial member of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council until the title was abolished in 1995 and 1992 respectively.

After the handover of Hong Kong, the member of the Legislative Council with the highest order of precedence, determined according to the length of continuous service in the council, was tasked with presiding over the election of President of the council, until 2017.

Hungary

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In Hungary, the term országgyűlés korelnöke (President by the age) refers to the oldest member of the National Assembly (previously House of Representatives, the lower house). Before the open session, the senior chairperson and junior notaries review the mandates of all the elected MPs in addition to their own. He or she presides over the newly elected parliament until the appointment of the officials.

It is also worth mentioning that József Madarász who was Father of the House from 1892 to his death in 1915 at the age of 100, was also member of the Parliament from 1848 (whenever it was convened) and prior to that he was emissary of the Hungarian Diet, the predecessor of Parliament in Hungary, from 1832. Thus making him the longest serving member of Parliament in Hungary at a record of 82 years.

Member Party Entered Parliament Became oldest member Left House
Géza Malasits MSZDP 1924 1945 1948 †
MDP
Dezső Pattantyús-Ábrahám FMDP 1947 1948 1949
Ferenc Harrer Ind. 1949 1949 1969 †
Janka Stark MSZMP 1958 1969 1975
László Pesta MSZMP 1949 1975 1990
Kálmán Kéri MDF 1990 1990 1994 †
Vince Vörös [hu] FKGP 1990 1994 1994
László Varga [hu] KDNP 1994 1994 2003 †
Fidesz
János Horváth Fidesz 1998 2003 2014
Béla Turi-Kovács Fidesz 1998 2014 2023 †
János Fónagy Fidesz 1998 2023

Israel

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In the beginning of some Knessets, the oldest member assumes temporary duties of the speaker before the election of a permanent speaker, In the past it was the oldest member of Knesset, now it is the longest-serving member. The oldest member of the 24th Knesset is Benny Begin.

Ireland

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Main article: Father of the Dáil

In Ireland, the term Father of the Dáil is an unofficial title applied to the longest-serving Teachta Dála (TD) in Dáil Éireann. The current Fathers of the Dáil are Richard Bruton and Willie O'Dea having both been first elected to the Dáil in the February 1982 general election. On a number of occasions, two or more people have shared the position of Father of the Dáil.

Luxembourg

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In Luxembourg, the longest-serving member of the Chamber of Deputies, per the Chamber's regulations, serves as President of the Chamber during the first session of a legislature, until a President is formally elected. They are assisted in this task by the two youngest members.[29]

Malaysia

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Further information: Seniority in the Parliament of Malaysia

In Malaysia, the term "Father of the House" is rarely used. However, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who was elected in 1974, was the previous longest-serving MP in the Dewan Rakyat. He was also the oldest MP between 2008 and 2018 (then-age 81), when former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was reelected to the Dewan Rakyat at the age of 92. Both of them ended their long tenures in the Dewan Rakyat after being defeated in 2022 Malaysian general election.

Since 2022, Tan Kok Wai is now the "Father of the House", having served as MP continuously since 1986, firstly for Sungai Besi (1986–1995) and now Cheras (1995–present).

New Zealand

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Main article: Father of the House (New Zealand)

In New Zealand, the terms "Father of the House" and "Mother of the House", as unofficial titles, designate the longest-continuously serving male or female MP of the House of Representatives, respectively. The Father and Mother of the House have no official role in Parliament. The current Father of the House is Gerry Brownlee who has served continuously since 1996. The current Mother of the House is Judith Collins who has served continuously since 2002.[30]

Poland

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Main article: Senior Marshal

Following a general election, the eldest member of each of the lower (Sejm) and upper (Senate) houses of the Polish parliament is given the honorary post of Senior Marshal until the new permanent leaders of the houses, the Marshal of the Sejm and the Marshal of the Senate, are elected in a vote by their respective members. This normally takes place as the first item on the agenda at the first session, over which the Senior Marshal presides. Most recently, the title of Senior Marshal was bestowed on Marek Sawicki, member of the X Sejm, and Michał Seweryński, senator of the XI Senate. Both assumed their roles on 13 November 2023, following the formation of the new parliament as a result of the 15 October general election.

Russia

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Traditionally when a new Russian parliament is formed the eldest deputy opens and manages the first session until a chairman is elected. In the history of the post-Soviet Dumas these were:

Elected Name Constituency Party Age when elected
1993 Georgy Lukava Federal list LDPR 68
1995 Grigory Galaziy Federal list NDR 73
1999 Yegor Ligachyov Tomsk CPRF 79
2003 Valentin Varennikov Federal list Rodina 79
2007 Zhores Alferov Federal list CPRF 77
2011 Vladimir Dolgikh Federal list United Russia 86
2016 Zhores Alferov Federal list CPRF 86
2021 Valentina Tereshkova Federal list United Russia 84

Serbia

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In the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia, the oldest MP serves as the Acting Speaker presiding over the constitutive session, before the Speaker is elected.

Singapore

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Until his death on 23 March 2015, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew was the longest-serving Member of Parliament (Tanjong Pagar) and thus the Father of the House.[31] As of April 2015, emeritus Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong later became Father of the House, as the longest-serving MP (Marine Parade).[31] Upon Goh's retirement in 2020, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong is Father of the House having served since 1984.

Sweden

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In Sweden, the Riksdagsordningen [sv] law states that the member of the Riksdag who has held their elected seat for the longest shall be the Ålderspresident which translates to President by age. The Ålderspresident acts as speaker of the Riksdag after each election, before the Speaker of the Riksdag has been elected. The Ålderspresident also acts as speaker in case of hindrance on behalf of the Speaker and all three Deputy Speakers.

Members of the Riksdag who has held the position of Ålderspresident since the abolition of bicameralism:

United States

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In the United States, the title "Father" of the House (although used for about a century starting in 1816)[32] does not exist, but in the lower house, the House of Representatives the position known as Dean of the House is almost exactly the same position—that is, it is a largely ceremonial position bestowed on the member with the longest continuous service. Less similar is the position in the Senate (the upper house) known as President Pro Tempore, the holder of which has since 1945 gained the position through seniority, but who also must be a member of the party holding a majority in the Senate.

Since March 2022, with the death of Don Young, the Dean of the House has been Hal Rogers, who was elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 and began serving in 1981.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Kelly, Richard; Priddy, Sarah (17 December 2019). "Father of the House" (PDF). UK Parliament. Briefing Paper Number 06399. House of Commons Library. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b House of Commons Information Office (November 2006) [2005]. "The Father of the House" (PDF). UK Parliament. Factsheet M3 Members Series. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 March 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2009.
  3. ^ Moss, Stephen (2 May 2015). "Labour's Dennis Skinner at 83: 'Father of the House? You must be joking'". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  4. ^ "Election of Speaker". Hansard. UK: Commons. 13 June 2017.
  5. ^ "Diane Abbott speaks for first time as Mother of the House". UK: Shropshire Star. 9 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Swearing In and the Parliamentary Oath". UK Parliament. July 2024. Archived from the original on 12 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  7. ^ House of Commons Information Office (June 2010). "The Father of the House" (PDF). UK Parliament. Factsheet M3 Members Series FS No.M3 Ed 3.6. p. 4. ISSN 0144-4689. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  8. ^ "Past Prime Ministers: Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman". gov.uk. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
  9. ^ "Richards may face ethics panel". BBC News. 30 June 2000. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  10. ^ "A colourful and controversial character". BBC News. 23 June 2000. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  11. ^ Portillo, Sam (3 March 2024). "John Griffiths interview: Poverty in Pill and the Senedd". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  12. ^ "John Farquhar Munro - obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 11 February 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  13. ^ Davidson, Gina (10 May 2021). "Scottish Election 2021: Who will be the next Presiding Officer?". The Scotsman. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  14. ^ Dalgety, Susan (8 May 2021). "Will a more female Holyrood make a difference to women's lives?". The Spectator. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  15. ^ Facts on File World News Digest Yearbook. Facts on File News Services. 2000. p. 809.
  16. ^ McCormack, Jayne (26 March 2022). "NI election 2022: Which MLAs are standing down from Stormont?". BBC News. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Arlene Foster exerts her authority over Jim Wells selection in South Down". Belfast Telegraph. 8 March 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  18. ^ Manley, John (17 January 2024). "Stormont sketch: There's a growing sense we won't be back on the hill any time soon". Irish News. Retrieved 4 August 2024.
  19. ^ Green, Antony (20 March 2018). "Who will be the Father of the House when Philip Ruddock Retires?". ABC News. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  20. ^ "Titles accorded to members". House of Representatives Practice (6th ed.). Parliament of Australia. 2012.
  21. ^ "Seniority of senators". Odgers' Australian Senate Practice (14th ed.). Parliament of Australia. 2016.
  22. ^ "Zákon o jednacím řádu Poslanecké sněmovny".
  23. ^ "Rules of Procedure of the Senate". January 2012.
  24. ^ Traynor, Ian (6 May 2009). "MEPs deny Jean-Marie Le Pen parliamentary honour". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
  25. ^ Söderman toimi puhemiesvaalin toimittajana, koska Andersson oli sairauslomalla; Hs.fi: Sauli Niinistö jatkaa eduskunnan puhemiehenä. Viitattu 24.4.2015. (in Finnish)
  26. ^ Eduskunta: Täysistunnon pöytäkirja PTK 1/2008 vp (in Finnish)
  27. ^ Eduskunta: Täysistunnon pöytäkirja PTK 1/2009 vp (in Finnish)
  28. ^ "Deutscher Bundestag - I. Wahl des Präsidenten, der Stellvertreter und Schriftführer". Deutscher Bundestag.
  29. ^ "Règlement de la Chambre". chd.lu (in French).
  30. ^ "Members of Parliament - Longest, shortest, oldest, youngest". www.parliament.nz. New Zealand Parliament. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
  31. ^ a b "Pressrun.net". www.pressrun.net. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  32. ^ "Fathers/Deans of the House". Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
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