Its 290 members, elected every four years, have the power to initiate legislation and, in theory, to dismiss the president.

The right to initiate legislation passed to the assembly.

The unofficial members had no right to initiate legislation; they could only contribute to discussion.

It had no power to initiate legislation, but could accept or reject the councils legislative proposal only.

It was the less powerful of the two chambers; it could not initiate legislation, but could amend or veto it.