Bahrain: Leadership
Chapter 3: Persian Gulf, Arabian Peninsula
Bahrain: Leadership
Government Structure
/ Legal System
Overview
/ System Essentials / Infrastructure
/ Population / Fielded Forces
/ Table of Contents
Bahrain's ruler, Amir Shaikh Isa Bin Sulman Al-Khalifa
Bahrain is a constitutional emirate under the rule of the Al-Khalifa family. The Amir, Shaikh Isa bin Sulman Al-Khalifa, is the head of state and head of government. His son and designated successor, Shaykh Hamad ibn Isa Al Khalifa, served as the deputy prime minister in 1993. A council of ministers completes the government.
In 1973, the Amir enacted a new constitution, setting up an experimental parliamentary system and protecting individual liberties. In August 1975, however, the Amir disbanded the National Assembly. No date has been announced for the reintroduction of representative institutions.
Political parties are prohibited, but several small, clandestine leftist and Islamic fundamentalist groups are active.
Bahrain's six towns and cities are administered by one central municipal council, the members of which are appointed by the Amir. A complex system of courts, based on diverse legal sources including Sunni and Shiite Sharia (religious law), tribal law, and other civil codes and regulation, was created with the help of British advisers in the early 20th century, this judiciary administers the legal code and reviews laws to ensure their constitutionality.