At the beginning of a new Parliament, the President is elected by secret ballot by the Plenary. Election to the Presidency requires a two-thirds majority of Members on the first ballot, a two-thirds majority of the votes cast on the second ballot (counting blank ballots as well), or an absolute majority of the votes cast on the third and any successive ballot. The President is responsible for the smooth conduct of parliamentary business in accordance with the Rules of Procedure. He or she gives the floor, directs and moderates debates, maintains order in the Chamber, proposes questions, determines the order of voting, clarifies the meaning of votes, and announces their results.