or a legislative provision only allows it is modified by simple decree. In addition, the Prime Minister must consult the Council before committing the responsibility of his Government on his program or a declaration of general policy. Composition and presidency The Council of Ministers brings together the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, full-service ministers and, sometimes, lower-ranking ministers (delegate minister and secretaries of state) or some of them. The Council is chaired by the President of the Republic. He can "exceptionally" be replaced by the Prime Minister, "by virtue of an express delegation and for a specific agenda". This procedure is extremely rare. The Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic and the Secretary General of the Government, who prepare the reports of the meetings, also attend the Council, without taking part in it. Functioning Convocation It is up to the President of the Republic, who chairs the Council, to determine the date and place of its meetings. The Palace of El Mouradia, the official residence of the President of the Republic, is the normal meeting place of the Council. The Council meets on the ground floor. Ministers are seated in the order of protocol determined by the decree of appointment. The President of the Republic can however convene the Council elsewhere, for symbolic reasons. Preparation For the meeting, the Secretary General of the Government sends a draft agenda to the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister and the ministers. The agenda is set during a meeting between the president and the secretary general, and sent to ministers. Before the meeting, the President, the Prime Minister, the Secretary General of the Presidency and the Secretary General of the Government have a brief meeting. During this time, the director of the cabinet of the Secretary General of the Government prepares the final version of the press release and has the ministers sign the acts which will be presented to the President during the Council. Process Meetings follow a strict agenda that leaves little room for improvisation. The President of the Republic can, on certain particularly important or controversial questions, lead a tour de table so that the ministers express their opinion; he is always the last to speak. Discussions in the Council of Ministers are supposed to remain confidential. The press release issued after the Council contains only brief and evasive indications. Other boards and meetings Other