Fast News
The Shura Council will have legislative authority and approve general state policies and the budget as well as exercise control over most branches under the executive.
Qatar’s first legislative polls
for two-thirds of the advisory Shura Council will be held on
October 2, according to a decree issued by the ruling emir on
Sunday and published by his office.
Qataris will elect 30 members of the 45-seat body while Emir
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani will continue to appoint the
remaining 15 members.
The Council will have legislative authority and approve
general state policies and the budget. It will also exercise
control over the executive, except for bodies setting defence,
security, economic and investment policy.
Kuwait is currently the only Gulf monarchy to give
substantial powers to an elected parliament, which can block
laws and question ministers, though ultimate decision-making
rests with the ruler as in neighbouring states.
Qatar, a small but wealthy gas producer which already holds
municipal polls, bans political parties like other Gulf Arab
countries.
The October polls have sparked some debate on electoral
inclusion after some members of a tribe found themselves
ineligible to vote under a law restricting voting to Qataris
whose family was present in Qatar before 1930.
The electoral law, based on a constitution approved in a
2003 referendum, could be reviewed by a new Shura Council.
Source: TRTWorld and agencies
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