Political system of Saudi Arabia

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The central institution of the Saudi political system is the absolute monarchy . This does not provide for a separation of powers , as is customary in democracies : According to Article 12, the sole ruling monarch has the duty to strive for the unity of the nation, but to keep away discord, riot and division : He can thus intervene in the legislative and executive branches.

There are no political parties or national elections in Saudi Arabia .

Basic Law

According to the Basic Law of March 1992 (Article 5), Saudi Arabia is a monarchy that is ruled by the male descendants of the king and state founder, Abd al-Aziz ibn Saud . The constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic Sharia law, is the Koran . The power of the king is theoretically limited by the rules of Sharia law and Saudi traditions. He must also maintain consensus among the House of Saud (the royal family), religious leaders ( ulema ) and other important elements of Saudi society. The state religion is Islam in its Wahhabi form. This form of Islam has gained in importance through financial aid from Saudi Arabia in the construction of mosques and Koran schools around the world.

In the event of a vacancy, the leading members of the royal family elect the new king from among their number with the subsequent approval of the ulema.

Government system

The kingdom consists of 13 provinces ; these are ruled by princes or close relatives of the royal family. All provincial governors are appointed by the king.

Since the founding of the state, the Saudi kings have gradually built a central system of government. In 1953 a Council of Ministers was created, the members of which are appointed by the King, to whom they are solely responsible. This body advises the king in determining the general political line and directs the activities of the administration. The Council of Ministers consists of the Prime Minister , the First and Second Vice Prime Ministers, 20 other ministers (of whom the Defense Minister also holds the post of Second Vice Prime Minister), two State Secretaries and a small number of advisers and heads of large autonomous organizations. Ministerial posts are often given to members of the royal family.

legislation

Laws are enacted by resolution of the Council of Ministers and subsequent ratification by royal decree . You have to be in accordance with Sharia law. The king's body could act as the legislature; but this only has an advisory function.

In July 1997 the number of members of the advisory body was increased from 60 to 90, in May 2001 to 120 and in 2005 to 150 members. Since many of the old members were not reappointed on the occasion of the expansions, the composition of the body has changed significantly. The role of the council also tends to expand in view of the growing experience of the body. Political parties are banned.

jurisdiction

Reforms

In March 1992, King Fahd issued several decrees regulating the main features of the system of government. This was the first time that the succession procedure was codified . As part of the royal reform program, a national advisory body was created, whose appointed members advise the government on matters of public interest. Also included in the reform program was a framework plan for the nature of appropriate advisory bodies at the provincial level.

In September 1993, King Fahd issued further reform decrees appointing the members of the new advisory body and giving it rules of procedure. Fahd also announced reforms affecting the Council of Ministers, including a limitation of the term of office to four years and regulations to avoid conflicts of interest of ministers and other high officials. The members of the 13 provincial councils and the rules of procedure relating to them were also promulgated in 1993.

literature

  • Joseph A. Kechichian: Succession in Saudi Arabia , Palgrave MacMillan, 2001, ISBN 0312238800

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Article 5: Chapter 2 [Monarchy ]
  2. ↑ a b Article 1 of the Basic Law
  3. ↑ www.servat.unibe.ch (Bern University - Law School) (list of links)