Federal Supreme Council

Federal Supreme Council (Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد‎, literally 'Supreme Council of the Union')
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
President	Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Vice President	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Seats	7
Meeting place
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Federal Supreme Council (Arabic: المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد‎) is the highest constitutional authority in the United Arab Emirates, being the highest legislative and executive body. It establishes general policies and sanctions federal legislation. It is the First Federal Authority in terms of ranking in the hierarchy of the Five Federal Authorities prescribed in the Constitution: Federal Supreme Council, Federal President and Federal Vice President, Federal Cabinet, Federal National Council, Federal Judiciary.

History

After the Union in 1971 the Federal Supreme Council consisted of the six rulers of the Emirates who signed the Constitution of the United Arab Emirates. It elected Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Emir of Abu Dhabi, as President of the United Arab Emirates and elected a Federal Cabinet. On 23 December 1971 the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah sent a letter to the Council requesting to join the union. The Council agreed to the request and the Ras al-Khaimah joined the Union on 10 February 1972.

Council meetings

The Federal Supreme Council meets four times each year and its meetings are often on an informal basis and attend meetings of the Board, consisting of the seven rulers of the emirates of the Federation or those acting in their emirate in the case of their absence. Each has one vote in the Council's resolutions.

Council functions

The Supreme Council of the Union has the following functions:

1. The general policies in all matters entrusted to the Union by this Constitution and to consider what would that achieve the objectives of the Union and the common interests of the member Emirates.
2. The ratification of the various federal laws before they are issued, including the laws of the annual general budget of the Union and the final account.
3. The ratification of the decrees on the subject matters under the provisions of this Constitution for the ratification or approval of the Federal Supreme Council prior to the issuance of these decrees by the Federal President.
4. Ratification of institutions and agreements are ratified by decree.
5. To approve the appointment of the Federal Prime Minister and the Federal Cabinet and the acceptance of their resignation and removal from office upon the proposal of the Federal President.
6. To approve the appointment of the President and Judges of the Federal Supreme Court and the acceptance of their resignations and dismissal in the circumstances prescribed in the Constitution. Are all decrees.
7. High control over the affairs of the Union in general.
8. Any other functions stipulated in this Constitution or federal laws.

Current members

Federal Supreme Council consists of the seven Emirs:

1. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Abu Dhabi, President of the Federal Supreme Council^[a].
2. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Emir of Dubai, Vice President of the Federal Supreme Council^[a].
3. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi, Emir of Sharjah, Member of the Federal Supreme Council.
4. Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Emir of Ajman, Member of the Federal Supreme Council.
5. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Emir of Fujairah, Member of the Federal Supreme Council.
6. Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Emir of Umm al-Quwain, Member of the Federal Supreme Council.
7. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi, Emir of Ras al-Khaimah, Member of the Federal Supreme Council.

References

a.^ the Constitution provides that the Emirs of Abu Dhabi and Dubai have a veto
تاريخ الإمارات العربية المتحدة
المجلس الأعلى للاتحاد
Supreme Council/ Politics of the United Arab Emirates