Overview of the Political System of United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates is made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ra's al-Khaimah and Fujairah. The United Arab Emirates gained its independence from the UK on December 2, 1971. Its constitution was established on independence, and was made permanent in 1996. The form of government can be referred to as a federal presidential elected monarchy, as the president is elected from among the absolute monarchs who rule each of the seven emirates.
Executive Branch:
The chief of state of the United Arab Emirates is President Khalifa bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan (since 2004), who is the ruler of Abu Dhabi. The head of government is the Vice President and Prime Minister, Muhammad bin Rashid al-Maktum (ruler of Dubai), the Deputy Prime Ministers are Sultan bin Zayid al-Nuhayya and Hamdan bin Zayid al-Nuhayyan. The PM and Deputy PM(s) are appointed by the President.
The President appoints a Cabinet, or Council of Ministers. There is also a Federal Supreme Council (FSC) composed of the seven rulers of each of the seven emirates, which meets four times per year. The FSC is the highest constitutional body in the United Arab Emirates, and it establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation. The FSC also elects the President (and Vice President) from amongst their number, meeting at five-year intervals to reaffirm the existing President or elect a new one. However, the emirs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have effective veto power in elections for the role of President. The last presidential election was held in 2004, on the death of the founder and first president of the United Arab Emirates, Zayid bin Sultan Al Nuhayyan), and the next will be held in 2009.
Legislative Branch:
The Federal National Council (FNC) has 40 seats; the rulers of the seven Emirates appoint 20 members, and 20 are elected to two-year terms. The first elections were held in December 2006. However, not everyone was eligible to vote or run for election: the members of an electoral college made up of 6,689 Emiratis (including 1,189 women) who were appointed by the rulers of the seven emirates were the only eligible voters and candidates for election. The FNC reviews legislation, but cannot change or veto it.
Judicial Branch:
The legal system of the UAE is based on a dual system of Sharia and civil courts.
The judiciary’s independence is guaranteed by the Constitution of the UAE, and it includes the Supreme Court and the Courts of First Instance.
Other:
Each emirate has its own local government, and municipal governments. The constitution established the distribution of authority for each level of government.
There are no political parties in the UAE.
