Political Systems of UAE & Kuwait (PDF)

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENTS OF GCC: POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF UAE & KUWAIT FALL 2024/2025 BACKGROUND - UAE In 1968, with the British announcement of its withdrawal from the Arabian Gulf, Sheikh Zayed stepped into action to quickly establish closer ties among the Emirates. Together with Sheikh Rashid Al...

COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENTS OF GCC: POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF UAE & KUWAIT FALL 2024/2025 BACKGROUND - UAE In 1968, with the British announcement of its withdrawal from the Arabian Gulf, Sheikh Zayed stepped into action to quickly establish closer ties among the Emirates. Together with Sheikh Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh Zayed called for a federation that would include the seven Emirates including Qatar, and Bahrain. Thus, an agreement was reached between the rulers of six of the Emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Umm al-Quwain, Fujairah, and Ajman). BACKGROUND - UAE The federation to be known as the United Arab Emirates was formally established on December 2, 1971. The seventh emirate, Ras al-Khaimah, agreed to the new federation the following year. And Qatar and Bahrain were established as separate nations. POLITICAL SYSTEM OF THE UAE The political system of the UAE is based on the constitution (constitutional federation) which explains the main rules of the political and constitutional organization of the country. The constitution demonstrates the main purpose of the establishment of the federation and its objectives at the local and regional levels. It guarantees all UAE citizens equal rights and opportunities, safety and security, and social justice. POWER DISTRIBUTION The UAE constitution grants the following powers to Abu Dhabi: 1.Defence 6. Immigration 2.Air Traffic Control 7. Currency (Banknotes and Coins) 3.Nationality 8. Judiciary 4.Passports 9. Foreign affairs 5.Residence 10. Security, etc. Sub-national governments (Remaining 6) are granted residual powers. THE SUPREME COUNCIL The Supreme Council of the Federal is composed of: o The seven sheikhs of the seven Emirates; 1. Abu Dhabi 2. Dubai 3. Sharjah 4. Ajman 5. Umm Al Quwain 6. Ras Al Khaimah 7. Fujairah THE SUPREME COUNCIL The Supreme Council has the power to: 1. Enact legislation 2. Establish policy 3. Appoint persons to office 4. Assume supreme supervision of the Federation's affairs Decisions should be approved by a majority of five, which must include the votes of the sheikhs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. THE PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL AND HIS DEPUTY The President and Vice President are elected by the Supreme Council for a term of five years, renewable. They have overall responsibility for the administration of federal laws and affairs. In the absence of the President, the Vice President assumes his responsibilities. The President is accorded a wide range of legislative and executive powers. As chief executive of the state, the President also enjoys powers that include the right to convene and preside over meetings of the Supreme Council. COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Headed by the Prime Minister, the Council of Ministers is an executive authority of the federation. The Prime Minister, who is currently the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, selects his cabinet Ministers among representatives from the seven emirates. The first woman minister in the UAE is HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi, and was appointed in November 2004 and was responsible for the Ministry of Economy and Planning. FEDERAL NATIONAL COUNCIL The Federal National Council (FNC) includes 40 members representing the seven emirates. 1. Eight seats each for Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 2. Six each for Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah. 3. Four each for Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ajman. The number of seats assigned to each emirate is based on its population; Abu Dhabi and Dubai hold the largest number. FEDERAL NATIONAL COUNCIL Under the UAE Constitution, the Federal National Council has a consultative role, including: 1. Serving the people and the nation 2. Consolidating the principles of shura (consultation) in the country 3. Examining and amending proposed federal legislation 4. Questioning ministers and holding them accountable for their respective ministries 5. Discussing the annual budget THE FEDERAL JUDICIARY The judicial system is composed of a federal and a local judiciary. The Federal judiciary includes: 1. The Federal Supreme Court 2. The Federal Courts of Appeal (civil and sharia) 3. The Federal Courts of First Instance (civil and sharia) The Federal Supreme Court consists of five judges including a President of the court, appointed by presidential decree and endorsed by the Supreme Council. BACKGROUND - KUWAIT Kuwait gained independence from the United Kingdom on June 19, 1961. Its constitution, which combines aspects of both presidential and parliamentary systems of government, was approved and put into effect in 1962. The state of Kuwait is a constitutional emirate with a parliamentary system of government. Authorities in Kuwait are divided into legislative, executive and judiciary and the Emir is the head of the authorities. EXECUTIVE BRANCH The Emir is a hereditary position, and it is the Emir who appoints the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers. There is a Cabinet/Council of Ministers that is appointed by the Prime Minister and approved by the Emir. The Prime Minister is in charge of executing executive tasks for the Emir. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH Kuwait's National Assembly (parliament) has 66 seats. 50 are elected by popular vote. 16 cabinet ministers are appointed by the Prime Minster. Elected members serve four years. The National Assembly is in charge of creating legislature and approving/disapproving the Emir's appointments. All laws enacted by Kuwait National Assembly are not valid until signed by the Emir within one month. JUDICIAL BRANCH Kuwait has a civil law system, with Sharia law significantly used for personal matters. There is also a: 1. Supreme Court – Consists of 5 judges 2. Appeal Court – Consists of 5 judges 3. Constitutional Court – Consists of 5 judges All Kuwaiti judges are appointed by the Emir upon recommendation of the Supreme Judicial Council, a consultative body comprised of Kuwaiti judges and Ministry of Justice officials. DEBATE QUESTION “Under the stewardship of MBS, Saudi Arabia will become a global superpower.” GROUP G GROUP E FOR AGAINST 1. Mahra Ibrahim Saif Alratouq Alsuwaidi 1. Riyam Nashwan Abdallah Nashwan 2. Mariam Abdalla A. Abdelaziz Alansaari 2. Amar Bassam Almahmoud 3. Rawdha Khaled Masoud Ali Aldhaheri 3. Maryam Shihab Hamad Majed 4. Amira Fahad Malalla Hassan Alyassi Alqasimi