Parliament of the United Arab Emirates

Parliament of the United Arab Emirates
Name	Parliament of the United Arab Emirates
Legislature	Federal National Council
House type	Unicameral
Established	1971
Leader1 type	Speaker
Leader1	TBD
Members	40
Meeting place	Abu Dhabi

Parliament of the United Arab Emirates is the federal advisory legislature of the United Arab Emirates established after the Unification of the United Arab Emirates in 1971, functioning alongside the President of the United Arab Emirates and the Council of Ministers. The body convenes in Abu Dhabi and interacts with institutions such as the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, the Federal Supreme Court of the United Arab Emirates, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (United Arab Emirates). It has evolved through reforms linked to leaders including Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and has been a focal point in debates involving the Arab League, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and regional political developments like the Arab Spring.

History

The institution originated during the formation of the federation after negotiations among the ruling families of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah, reflecting input from figures such as Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and drawing on constitutional models influenced by the British Empire protectorate era and comparative examples like the Council of Representatives (Bahrain) and the National Assembly (Jordan). In 1971 the federal constitution created a consultative body that later became the modern Federal National Council, with institutional milestones occurring under the presidencies of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reforms promoted during the tenure of Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Reforms in the early 21st century introduced partial electoral mechanisms inspired by deliberations involving the United Nations Development Programme, the International Monetary Fund, and regional partners such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The Council's evolution paralleled developments in institutions like the Central Bank of the UAE, the Ministry of Justice (United Arab Emirates), and initiatives by the UAE Cabinet.

Structure and Composition

The legislature is unicameral and comprises forty members representing Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah; members are selected through a mix of appointment and indirect election, reflecting arrangements involving the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and the Federal National Council (FNC) electoral college. Leadership roles have included speakers and chairpersons with ties to ruling houses such as the House of Al Nahyan and the House of Al Maktoum. Committees within the Council handle oversight of sectors connected to the Ministry of Health and Prevention (United Arab Emirates), the Ministry of Education (United Arab Emirates), the Ministry of Economy (United Arab Emirates), and agencies like the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company andEmirates Airline. The membership has featured prominent figures from business and public life associated with institutions such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Etihad Airways, and the UAE Armed Forces.

Powers and Functions

The Council exercises consultative and supervisory roles in matters touching on legislation, budgets, and public policy, engaging with federal authorities including the President of the United Arab Emirates, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, and the Council of Ministers (United Arab Emirates). It reviews draft laws, examines annual budgets linked to the Ministry of Finance (United Arab Emirates), and deliberates on treaties with states such as United Kingdom and United States. While not a fully empowered legislature like the Knesset or the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, it performs oversight comparable to consultative bodies like the Shura Council (Saudi Arabia) and the Consultative Assembly of Oman. The Council's functions intersect with regulatory institutions such as the Securities and Commodities Authority (UAE), the Federal Tax Authority, and the National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority.

Legislative Process

Draft legislation is typically prepared by ministries including the Ministry of Interior (United Arab Emirates), the Ministry of Justice (United Arab Emirates), and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation and submitted to the Council for review, amendment, and recommendation to the President of the United Arab Emirates or the Council of Ministers (United Arab Emirates). The process involves committee scrutiny, deliberation in plenary sessions, and coordination with federal bodies like the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship and the Federal National Council Secretariat. Legislative interaction has occurred on topics involving the UAE Penal Code, the UAE Civil Code, energy policy tied to the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and Masdar, and international agreements with entities such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The Council may recommend amendments and lodge inquiries that inform final enactment by executive authorities akin to processes in legislatures such as the Kuwait National Assembly and the Council of Representatives (Bahrain).

Relationship with the Executive

The Council maintains a consultative relationship with executives including the President of the United Arab Emirates, the Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates—often the ruler of Dubai—and the Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates, coordinating on policy areas from security (involving the UAE Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence (United Arab Emirates)) to economic strategy (involving the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism). Interaction includes review of government performance, questioning ministers, and participation in national planning processes with agencies such as the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority and the UAE Vision 2021 and UAE Centennial 2071 initiatives championed by national leadership. The relationship is shaped by the constitutional prerogatives of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and precedent set by leaders like Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Elections and Appointments

Members are selected through a hybrid system combining indirect elections by an electoral college and appointments by the rulers of the seven emirates, with arrangements influenced by reforms implemented in cycles under the auspices of the Federal National Council (FNC) and overseen by federal authorities such as the Ministry of Interior (United Arab Emirates) and the Federal Electoral Commission-style mechanisms. Voter participation initiatives have engaged organizations like the Emirates Foundation and international observers including the United Nations Development Programme and have prompted comparisons with electoral systems in the Gulf Cooperation Council member states such as Qatar and Bahrain. Appointees often include members of ruling families, technocrats associated with entities like the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and the Dubai International Financial Centre, and representatives from civil society linked to institutions such as the Red Crescent Society (United Arab Emirates) and the UAE National Olympic Committee.

Category:Politics of the United Arab Emirates Category:Unicameral legislatures