Comparative Governments of GCC: Bahrain & Qatar
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of the Council of Ministers in Qatar?

  • To oversee the general elections
  • To draft and approve laws without the Amir's input
  • To check the budgets presented by the Advisory Council
  • To administer all internal and external affairs as defined by the Constitution (correct)

    • How many members are directly elected to the Advisory Council?

  • 15
  • 45
  • 60
  • 30 (correct)

    • What happens to the terms of service of the appointed members of the Advisory Council?

  • They can only end through general elections
  • They last for a fixed period of 5 years
  • They end upon resignation or being relieved from their posts (correct)
  • They are terminated upon the Amir's request

    • What is the advisory role of the Advisory Council concerning legislative power?

    <p>It can draft and approve laws, but the Amir has the final say</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement accurately describes the composition of the Advisory Council?

    <p>It consists of a mix of elected and appointed members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main executive power held by the King of Bahrain?

    <p>The ability to call for a referendum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the National Assembly of Bahrain structured?

    <p>A bicameral system with both appointed and elected members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must occur for the Consultative Council to pass a resolution?

    <p>An absolute majority of the members present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the role of Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa?

    <p>He is the world's longest-serving Prime Minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the composition of the Consultative Council regarding member appointments?

    <p>Members are appointed by the king.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which body has veto power over the Council of Representatives?

    <p>The Consultative Council</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one power that the King of Bahrain does NOT possess?

    <p>The authority to create laws without a council</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long are the terms for members of the Council of Representatives?

    <p>Four years</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a main function of the Majlis Al Shura?

    <p>To initiate and propose legislation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which court in the civil law system primarily handles minor civil and commercial disputes?

    <p>Courts of Minor Causes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant event occurred in Bahrain in 2011 involving the Prime Minister?

    <p>Calls from the opposition to replace him with an elected official</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a requirement for the National Assembly to hold a valid meeting?

    <p>Presence of a quorum of more than half of its members</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who has the authority to dissolve the Council of Representatives?

    <p>The king</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is true about women's representation in the Majlis Al Nuwab in 2022?

    <p>Eight women were elected.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of law do the Sharia Law Courts primarily handle?

    <p>Personal status matters for Muslims</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the president of the Consultative Council chosen?

    <p>Appointed by the king</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for the High Sharia Court of Appeal to reach a decision?

    <p>Majority vote with at least two judges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was established by the King of Bahrain during the state of emergency in March 2011?

    <p>A military court called the National Safety Court</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following describes the Amir of Qatar?

    <p>The Head of State who ratifies laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the Council of Ministers in Qatar formed?

    <p>Through an Amiri Order proposed by the Prime Minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What power does the Amir of Qatar NOT possess?

    <p>Approving the budget directly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of the Council of Ministers, who presides over its sessions?

    <p>The Prime Minister</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the third judge in the High Sharia Court of Appeal?

    <p>To break ties in case of disagreement among the two judges</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happened to the State Security Court established by the King?

    <p>It was abolished in 2001</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Comparative Governments of GCC: Bahrain & Qatar

    • Bahrain:

      • Monarchy, ruled by King Hamad bin Essa Al Khalifa since 1999
      • Gained independence from Great Britain on August 15, 1971
      • Monarch rules with assistance of relatives holding key ministerial positions (Defense, Interior, Foreign Affairs)

    • Qatar:

      • Independence from the United Kingdom on September 3, 1971
      • Head of State is the Amir, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, since June 25, 2013
      • Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces

    Executive Branch - Bahrain

    • King is head of state and holds wide-ranging executive and legislative powers

    • Appoints and dismisses the Prime Minister

    • Appoints president and members of the Consultative Council

    • Commander-in-chief of the armed forces

    • Chairman of the Higher Judicial Council and appoints judges

    • Can call for a referendum on any issue

    • Can dissolve parliament

    • Has veto power over laws passed by the National Assembly

    • Power to amend the constitution and propose, ratify, and circulate laws

    • Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa:

      • Longest-serving prime minister (since 1971)
      • Historically associated with a hardline response to protesters, including during the 2011 Arab Uprising
      • Opposition demanded his replacement with an elected official during 2011 protests

    Executive Branch - Qatar

    • Amir discharges functions:

      • Draws up the state's general policy with Council of Ministers assistance
      • Ratifies and declares laws (not issued without Amir's ratification)
      • Summons and presides over Council of Ministers meetings as needed
      • Appoints/dismisses civil and military personnel as per law

    • Council of Ministers:

      • Established by Amiri Order, proposed by the Prime Minister
      • Amir may assign roles to Prime Minister or other ministers
      • Prime Minister presides over sessions, coordinates ministries, signs decisions
      • Submits decisions requiring Amiri approval to the Amir
      • Defined in Article 121 of Qatar's Constitution as the highest executive body responsible for internal and external affairs

    Legislative Branch - Bahrain

    • Bicameral legislature with:
      • Upper House (Majlis Al Shura): 40 members appointed by the King
      • Lower House (Majlis Al Nuwab): 40 members elected by citizens
      • Upper house can veto lower house decisions
      • Members appointed for four-year terms

    The National Assembly - Bahrain

    • Limited role:
      • Holds annual sessions
      • Can be called to special sessions (by royal decree)
      • Needs over half of its members for valid meetings
      • Passes resolutions by an absolute majority
      • Sets up special committees to address citizens' complaints, seeking explanations from authorities

    Consultative Council (Majlis Al Shura) - Bahrain

    • Established in 1992 as advisory body with the right to propose legislation
    • Granted law-making powers in 2002
    • Composed of 40 members appointed for four-year renewable terms
    • King appoints president and members of the council
    • President chooses two vice-presidents
    • Serves as chairman during joint sessions of both houses
    • Casts tie-breaking vote in case of deadlock

    Council of Representatives (Majlis Al Nuwab) - Bahrain

    • Composed of 40 members elected by citizens for four-year terms
    • Plays a role in legislation, but ultimate authority lies with the King
    • Can be dissolved by the King, who can recall a dissolved chamber
    • New elections must be held within four months of a dissolution
    • Consultative council has veto power over its decisions

    Women in the Council - Bahrain

    • Six women elected to Majlis Al Nuwab and eight appointed to Majlis Al Shura in 2018
    • Eight women elected in the 2022 elections
    • This is viewed as a proud achievement

    Judicial Branch - Bahrain

    • Based on both Islamic Law (Sharia) and civil law
    • King appoints all judges by royal decree

    Civil Law Courts - Bahrain

    • Settle civil and commercial cases, including those involving non-Muslims' personal status
    • Three-tiered structure:
      • Courts of Minor Causes: One judge handles minor disputes
      • High Civil Court of Appeal: Larger disputes and non-Muslim personal status cases presided over by three judges
      • Supreme Court of Appeal: Headed by a chairman, and three other judges (all appointed by decree)

    Sharia Law Courts - Bahrain

    • Jurisdiction over Muslim personal status issues (inheritance, wills, and other related matters):
      • Two levels of Sharia courts: Senior and High Sharia court of appeal in Bahrain
      • Each has both Sunni and Shia courts, with minimum of two judges for High court of appeal to make decisions
      • In case of disagreements, ministry of justice provides a third judge

    State Security Court - Bahrain

    • Established to address internal and external security concerns
    • Abolished in 2001
    • National Safety Court established in place of State Security Court following emergency in 2011
    • Deals with opposition members
    • Headed by a military judge and two civilian judges appointed by the Bahrain Defense Force

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    Related Documents

    Political Systems of Bahrain & Qatar (PDF) Fall 2024/2025

    Description

    Explore the comparative aspects of the governmental systems in Bahrain and Qatar. This quiz delves into their monarchies, powers of the rulers, and independence histories. test your knowledge on the executive branches and influential figures in both countries.

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