the Prime Minister may submit a notice to the President of the National Assembly requesting that a general debate be held at a joint sitting of the National Assembly. In such case, no resolution shall be passed by the National Assembly on the issue put in the debate.
Section 166. In the case where there are reasonable grounds, the Council of Ministers may call for a referendum on any matter which is not an issue contrary to or inconsistent with the Constitution or an issue relating to any individual or group of persons as provided by law.
Section 167. Ministers vacate office en masse upon:
- (1) the termination of ministership of the Prime Minister under section 170;
- (2) the expiration of the term or the dissolution of the House of Representatives;
- (3) the resignation of the Council of Ministers;
- (4) the vacation of office on the grounds of section 144.
When Ministers vacate office en masse under (1), (3) or (4), proceedings for a new Council of Ministers under section 158 and section 159 shall be taken.
Section 168. The outgoing Council of Ministers shall continue to perform duties subject to the following conditions:
- (1) in the case of the vacation of office under section 167 (1), (2) or (3), the outgoing Council of Ministers shall continue to perform duties until the newly appointed Council of Ministers takes office, except in the case where the Prime Minister vacates office under section 167 (1) on the grounds of being disqualified or being under any of the prohibitions under section 98 or section 160 (4) or (5), the Prime Minister shall not continue to perform duties;
- (2) in the case of the vacation of office under section 167 (4), the outgoing Council of Ministers shall not continue to perform duties.
In the case where the Council of Ministers cannot continue to perform duties under (2) or the Council of Ministers continuing to perform duties resigns en masse, and the proceedings under section 158 and section 159 cannot be taken due to any reason or the proceedings under section 158 and section 159 have not been completed, the Permanent Secretaries shall perform duties as the Ministers of such Ministries only in so far as it is necessary for the time being, and the Permanent Secretaries shall elect one person among themselves to perform duties as Prime Minister.
Section 169. The outgoing Council of Ministers under section 167 (2) having to continue to perform duties under section 168 shall perform duties subject to the following conditions:
