Political System
The first Provisional Basic Law for governance in Qatar was issued in 1970, before the state gained its independence. The Amended Provisional Basic Law was then issued in 1972, after national independence, to meet the requirements and responsibilities of this new era.
Through this amendment, the parameters and objectives of the state's policies and its Gulf, Arab and Islamic affiliations were defined, and its various authorities and agencies gained experience derived from actual practice at both the domestic and international levels.
Legislative amendments addressed some provisions of the Amended Provisional Basic Law relating to the executive authority and to the succession of rule in the state. To complete the country's constitutional framework, the enactment of the Judicial Authority Law and other basic laws governing civil and commercial transactions was a step towards completing the building of state institutions and establishing the foundations of a state of institutions and law. To this end, an Amiri decree was issued in July 1999 to form a committee to draft a permanent constitution for the state, in line with the achievements of the State of Qatar.
The System of Government
The system of government is based on the separation of powers, with the powers cooperating with one another as specified in the Constitution:
Assumed by the Amir, assisted by the Council of Ministers, as specified in the Constitution.
Assumed by the Shura Council.
Assumed by the courts, in accordance with the Constitution.
The government apparatus in the State of Qatar consists of the Council of Ministers, ministries, government bodies and institutions, and a number of other government agencies.
Council of Ministers
His Highness the Amir appoints the Prime Minister and the ministers, accepts their resignations and relieves them of their posts by Amiri Order. He may entrust the Prime Minister or any minister with the functions of one or more ministries, as specified in the Amiri Order of appointment.
According to Chapter (3), “The Executive Authority”, of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar, the Council of Ministers is formed by an Amiri Order on a proposal by the Prime Minister. The law specifies the powers of the ministers and the competencies of ministries and other government bodies.
The Prime Minister presides over the sessions of the Council and organizes its proceedings, and supervises coordination of work among the various ministries to achieve unity and harmony among the government bodies of the state. The Prime Minister signs, in the name and on behalf of the Council of Ministers, the decisions made by the Council.
He also submits to the Amir the decisions of the Council on matters requiring an Amiri Resolution, for approval and issuance in accordance with the provisions of the Permanent Constitution.
Article (121) of the Permanent Constitution of the State of Qatar entrusts the Council of Ministers, as the highest executive body, with administering all internal and external affairs falling within its jurisdiction, as determined by the Constitution and the provisions of the law.
Competencies of the Council of Ministers
- Proposing draft laws and decrees, and submitting them to the Shura Council for discussion and opinion before they are submitted to the Amir for ratification.
- Approving regulations and decisions prepared by the ministries.
- Supervising the implementation of laws, decrees, regulations, decisions and court rulings.
- Establishing and organizing government bodies and public institutions in accordance with the law, and exercising supreme supervision over their financial and administrative systems.
- Appointing and dismissing employees, where such appointment or dismissal does not fall within the competence of the Amir or of the ministers in accordance with the law.
- Laying down the general rules for maintaining internal security and public order throughout the state in accordance with the law.
- Managing the state's finances and preparing its draft general budget in accordance with the Constitution and the provisions of the law.
- Approving economic projects and the means of implementing them.
- Supervising the safeguarding of the state's interests abroad, its international relations and its foreign affairs, in accordance with the provisions of the law.
- Preparing a report at the beginning of each fiscal year detailing the important work accomplished at home and abroad, together with a plan setting out the best means of achieving the comprehensive development of the state, to be submitted to the Amir for approval.
- Any other competencies vested in it by the Constitution or the law.