Shura Council of Qatar
Legislative body of the State of Qatar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Qatari Shura Council (Arabic: مجلس الشورى القطري, romanized: Majlis as-Shura; also known as the Consultative Assembly) is the unicameral advisory legislative body of the State of Qatar, which holds limited power.
since 27 October 2021
since 27 October 2021
Shura Council of Qatar مجلس الشورى القطري | |
|---|---|
| 51st Session | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | April 1972 |
| Leadership | |
Speaker | Hassan bin Abdulla Al-Ghanim since 27 October 2021 |
Deputy Speaker | Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti since 27 October 2021 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 45 |
| |
Political groups |
|
Length of term | 4 years |
| Elections | |
| As of November 2024, all 45 seats are appointed by Emir | |
Last election | 2 October 2021 |
| Meeting place | |
| Doha State of Qatar | |
| Website | |
| https://www.shura.qa | |
The body "has no say in the setting of defence, security, economic and investment policy".[1] It can call a vote of no confidence against the appointed Prime Minister, though this requires a two-thirds supermajority, which is also necessary to oppose legislative action carried out by the Prime Minister.[2] The emir can nonetheless overrule even this two-thirds majority "to serve the higher interests of the country".[3]
During its first and last elections in 2021, it consisted of 45 members, made up of 30 elected representatives and 15 appointees of the Emir,[4][5] but as of 2024 it has gone back to all 45 members being directly appointed by the emir.[6]
Constitutional role and powers in practice
Qatar's constitution, approved in April 2003 by popular referendum, has created an advisory legislative body to be two thirds elected by universal suffrage, and one third appointed by the Emir. According to that constitution, the legislature was to have three powers: to approve (but not prepare) the national budget; to monitor the performance of ministers through no-confidence votes; and to draft, discuss, and vote on proposed legislation, which becomes law only with the vote of a two-thirds majority and the Emir's endorsement. However, the Council held its first ever elections only in 2021, and in 2024 the constitution was revised and the Council officially went back to being fully appointed by the emir.[6]
Authorities, powers and limitations
The Council is an advisory legislature, and possesses limited power. It has the authority to approve "general state policies and the budget", but "has no say in the setting of defence, security, economic and investment policy".[1] The emir also retained veto powers over the body,[7] and even if a two-thirds majority were to overrule said veto, the emir could "order the suspension of a given law for the period that he deems necessary to serve the higher interests of the country", giving him the final decision in any potential disagreement.[8]
History
The Council was formed in April 1972 with 20 appointed members.[9] In May 1972, the first Shura Council meeting was held, during which Sayed Aziz bin Khalid Al Ghanim was elected as the Shura Council's first Speaker. Aside from the 20 members who took part in the meeting, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad Al Thani and foreign dignitaries were also in attendance.[10]
In 2006 it was announced that legislative elections would take place in 2007; according to a 1 April statement by then-First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani, who later became Prime Minister of Qatar. That was postponed and an advisory committee was established to study the issue. The legislative council rescheduled the elections for June 2010.[11] The election did not take place in 2010.
In November 2011, the Emir announced that the election would take place in 2013,[4][5] but they were postponed prior to the retiring Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani transferring power to his son Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.[12] The Shura Council's term was extended until 2016.[13]
In November 2017, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani appointed four women to the 45-member council, marking the first time women have taken part in the council.[14]
However, the elections were then postponed until 2019, with the prior term extended once again.[15] In October 2019 the Emir issued an order for a committee to be formed to organise the elections, chaired by Prime Minister Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdul Aziz Al Thani.[16] In November 2020, the Emir pledged to hold the elections in October 2021.[17] The 2021 Qatari general election was held on 2 October 2021.
2024 referendum
In October 2024, Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani announced plans for a referendum on whether to abolish direct elections to the council, saying that the election had produced conflict among families and tribes.[18] The referendum passed.
Members
Speakers
| Name | Entered office | Left office | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abdul Aziz Bin Khalid Al-Ghanim | 1 May 1972 | 8 December 1990 | 18 years, 7 months and 7 days | [23] |
| Ali bin Khalifa Al Hitmi | 8 December 1990 | 27 March 1995 | 4 years, 3 months and 19 days | [23] |
| Mohamed Bin Mubarak Al-Khulaifi | 27 March 1995 | 14 November 2017 | 22 years, 7 months and 18 days | [23] |
| Ahmad bin Abdullah Al Mahmoud | 14 November 2017 | 27 October 2021 | 3 years, 11 months and 13 days | [24][25] |
| Hassan bin Abdulla Al-Ghanim | 27 October 2021 | Present | 4 years, 9 months and 5 days | [26] |