Overview
The Majlis Al Shura (Consultative Assembly or Advisory Council) is the legislative advisory body of the State of Qatar. The council comprises 45 members: 30 elected by Qatari citizens through direct ballot and 15 appointed by the Emir. The Majlis Al Shura is established under the Permanent Constitution of Qatar, ratified in 2004, and is the principal institutional mechanism for legislative consultation in the country’s governance system.
Constitutional Framework
Qatar’s Permanent Constitution, which came into effect on 9 June 2005, provides for the establishment of the Majlis Al Shura as part of the country’s governance structure. The constitution defines Qatar as a hereditary emirate with an advisory legislative body — a model that retains executive authority with the Emir while providing a formal consultative role for elected and appointed representatives.
Under the constitution, the Majlis Al Shura has the authority to:
- Approve the state’s general budget
- Exercise oversight over the executive branch through questions and interpellations directed at ministers
- Propose and approve draft legislation, which must still receive Emiri ratification to become law
- Discuss matters of public policy referred to it by the Council of Ministers
The council does not have the power to remove the Prime Minister or dissolve the government — these functions remain within the prerogative of the Emir.
2021 Elections
Qatar held its first-ever elections for the Majlis Al Shura on 2 October 2021. The elections were conducted under Law No. 6 of 2021, which established 30 electoral districts corresponding to Qatar’s traditional tribal and geographic constituencies. Voter eligibility was limited to Qatari citizens whose family had resided in Qatar since before 1930, a criterion that excluded naturalised citizens and generated public debate about citizenship and political inclusion.
Approximately 63 percent of registered voters participated in the election. The remaining 15 seats were subsequently appointed by the Emir.
Composition and Operations
The Majlis Al Shura convenes in regular sessions and operates through standing committees covering areas such as finance and economic affairs, domestic and foreign affairs, and social services. Members serve four-year terms. The Speaker of the council is elected by its members and presides over sessions.
Significance
The establishment of an elected component within the Majlis Al Shura represents a measured step toward political participation in a country that had previously relied on appointed consultative bodies. The institution reflects the National Vision 2030’s governance objectives, which call for transparency, accountability, and institutional development while operating within the framework of Qatar’s hereditary emirate system.