Deliberations in Plenary
The Plenary of the National Council holds final deliberations on the bills before it, possibly or even usually with final amendments made before voting. These final deliberations are called Second and Third Readings of the bill, with the Third Reading following immediately after the Second.
A First Reading only takes place in exceptional cases. Its purpose is to have a fundamental debate on important matters, i.e. before the competent committee starts its deliberations on the concrete wording of the bill. Private Members’ bills are given a First Reading when so requested by the mover.