The Saudi Political System
The Saudi political system places absolute power in the hands of the King and the Royal Family. However, there are other institutions set up in order to ensure both the Islamic legitimacy of the actions of the state, and to link the Saudi people to the government through a system of Shura, or ‘consultation’. The division of Saudi Arabia into 14 administrative regions with municipal governments responsible for aspects of local affairs led, in 2005, to regional elections for 50% of members in the municipal councils.
The King
Timeline of Saudi Kings:
|
Abdul Aziz Ibn Rahman Al Saud (Ibn Saud) |
1902-1953 |
|
Saud Ibn Abdul Aziz |
1953-1964 |
|
Faisal Ibn Abdul Aziz |
1964-1975 |
|
Khalid Ibn Abdul Aziz |
1975-1982 |
|
Fahd Ibn Abdul Aziz |
1982-2005 |
|
Abdullah Ibn Abdul Aziz |
August 2005 - |
King Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
Born: 1924
Inaugurated: August 1, 2005
King Abdullah is both head of state and head of government; he therefore holds the joint titles of King and Prime Minister. He had been Crown Prince since 1982, and was inaugurated after the death of his brother King Fahd in 2005.
Abdullah is widely regarded as one of the most popular members of the Royal Family, and has been in charge of the country’s affairs since 1995, when Fahd suffered a debilitating stroke. Abdullah’s popularity stems from the general perception that he is pious, and has not lived as overtly extravagant a lifestyle as many other members of the Royal Family. As a result, it is thought that Abdullah may be more able to push through controversial reforms and attempt to stamp out corruption in the Kingdom. He needs to find a balance between the influences of modernization, and the maintenance of the Islamic legitimacy of the Royal Family in the eyes of the religious establishment and the Saudi people.
In 2002, as Crown Prince, Abdullah proposed a peace plan for the Arab-Israeli conflict that offered Israel normative relations with the Arab world and recognition of its existence by all Arab states in return for Israel withdrawing from all territories occupied in the 1967 war. The initiative was accepted unanimously by the 22 members of the Arab League, as well as Hamas, but despite its rejection by Israel, it was revived in 2005 at the Arab League Summit in Algiers.
King Fahd
Born: 1923
Died: 2005
Inaugurated: June 13, 1982
King Fahd came to power as the Saudi oil boom began to downturn. At the same time, the Kingdom was facing the problem of a rapidly rising population and high unemployment that threatened the nature of the Saudi welfare state. The 1991 Gulf War had far-reaching repercussions politically and economically, problems that Fahd struggled to deal with after suffering a stroke in 1995 and passing most of his power to then Crown Prince Abdullah. Economically, the war was hugely expensive and is thought to have cost the state in excess of $55 billion. Politically, it saw rising opposition from within the country to the Saudi-US relationship in particular, and also to the policies and practices of the Royal Family. This erupted in violence in 1996 with the bombing of a US barracks, and has continued with attacks against Western and government targets within the Kingdom.
Despite this, Fahd did instigate reforms, introducing the Basic Law of government, the Majlis As Shura (Consultative Council) and dividing Saudi Arabia into administrative regions, strengthening the power of local governments or municipal councils leading the way to the municipal elections held in 2005. He also organised talks between Lebanese leaders in Taif in 1989 that led to the signing of the National Reconciliation Accord and the end of the Lebanese civil war.
Fahd took on the title Khadim al-Haramayn, “Custodian of the Two Holy Shrines”, a title not used since Ibn Saud. This was in order to strengthen the religious legitimacy of his leadership, with the title used in preference to “His Majesty”. This has been passed on to King Abdullah.
Succession to the Throne:
The Kingship of Saudi Arabia is passed between the sons of Ibn Saud, the country’s founder. The line will eventually pass to the sons of his sons; however this is yet to happen. Who will succeed as King is decided according to a process of debate among the highest-ranked members of the Royal Family, with consultation from members of the religious establishment (the ‘Ulema).
The Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers was formed in 1953 by Ibn Saud, and has responsibility for drafting and overseeing the implementation of internal, external, financial, economic, educational and defense policies, as well as general affairs of state. This is effectively the Saudi cabinet, with members appointed by the King, many from within the Royal Family.
The council meets weekly and is presided over by the King or his deputy.
· Second deputy prime minister: Prince Sultan Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
· Foreign minister: Prince Saud al-Faysal Bin-Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
· Interior minister: Prince Nayif Bin-Abd-al-Aziz Al Saud
The Council of Senior ‘Ulema
The senior ‘Ulema are responsible for ensuring the Islamic legitimacy of the actions of the state, and are crucial in the running of state affairs, given the Islamic nature of its people and constitution. Although the Council of Senior ‘Ulema does not have any legislative power, it is an important body responsible for the issuing of Fatwa (religious authorisations) and the administration of exclusively Islamic aspects of the country.
The ‘Ulema play an influential part in the following fields of government:
· The judicial system
· The implementation of the rules of the Islamic Sharia
· Religious Guidance Group with affiliated offices all over the Kingdom
· Islamic legal education and theology at all levels
· Religious jurisprudence
· Preaching and guidance throughout the nation
· Supervision of girls' education
· Religious supervision of all mosques
· Preaching of Islam abroad
· Continuous scientific and Islamic research
· Notaries public
· The handling of legal cases in courts according to Islamic law
The Majlis As-Shura (Consultative Council):
The Consultative Council was formed in 1993 by then King Fahd, with the stated aim to widen the scope for participation in government affairs. The concept of Shura, or consultation, is central to political Islam and guidelines espoused in Sharia law. Members of the council are drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, ranging from university professors and professionals to members of the religious establishment. They have also been selected to represent the various regions of the Kingdom. The council discusses current issues relating to the state, and proposes advice to the King and the Royal Family. It does not possess any legislative power. All members are appointed by the King, although there are plans to hold elections for a third of members at some point in the future.
The Basic Law
Formally introduced at the same time as the Majlis As Shura, the Basic Law stipulates the role of the Quran and the Sunna as the basis for Saudi Arabia’s constitution, and formalises the role of the Majlis As Shura and the system of regional government.
Saudi Regional Government
As laid out in the Basic Law, Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 administrative regions:
REGION AND REGIONAL HQ
· Riyadh Region, Riyadh City
· Makkah Region, Makkah City
· Madinah Region, Madinah City
· Qasim Region, Buraidah City
· Eastern Region, Dammam City
· Asir Region, Abha City
· Tabouk Region, Tabouk City
· Hail Region, Hail City
· Northern Border Region, Arar City
· Jizan Region, Jizan City
· Najran Region, Najran City
· Baha Region, Baha City
· Al-Jouf Region, Sikaka City
Each region has a governor, often from within the Royal Family, who occupies the rank of minister under the authority of the Minister of the Interior.
Municipal Councils and Elections
The governor of each region is in charge of a number of municipal councils, depending on the size of the region. There are 178 Municipal Councils in the 13 regions, and each council has between four and 14 members depending on the constituency size. In 2005, elections were held for 50% of the Municipal Council seats, with the other members appointed by the government. Women were not allowed to vote, and only male candidates were allowed to run for the council, but it is thought that women could be included in the next election.
Councils in the larger cities such as Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Mecca and Medina have 14 members, whereas those of smaller cities have between 10 and 12 members, such as Taif (12) and Yanbu (10). Councils in smaller governorates have six to eight members, and rural centres have four.