Politics Ledger · Middle East & North Africa

Qatar

Closed autocracyAbsolute monarchyUnitaryState ideology: Hereditary Islamic emirate.
Updated todaysource: Curated
curated|
Updated todaysource: Curated
estimate
In charge
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Emir
Time in power
13.3 yrs
since 2013
Government seats
100%
majority
Next national vote
2027-06
Central Municipal Council
Governance score
36/100
composite of five indices

A small pearling sheikhdom under British protection, Qatar became one of the world's richest states through natural gas and has used that wealth for outsized diplomacy, media (Al Jazeera) and soft power.

Leadership

Who Governs Qatar

Head of state
Holds executive power
Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani
Emir
Since 25 June 2013 · 13.3 years
Age 46 (born 1980)ManRoute to power: hereditary
Head of government
Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani
Prime Minister and Foreign Minister
Since 7 March 2023 · 3.6 years
Age 46 (born 1980)ManRoute to power: appointed
Ruling coalition
Al Thani ruling family
Main opposition
None permitted
Last national election
5 November 2024
Constitutional referendum

About 90% approved ending elections to the Shura Council in favour of appointment.

Next national election
By June 2027
Central Municipal Council

Qatar remains a leading mediator in Gaza, Afghanistan and US-Iran contacts.

Parliament

Majlis al-Shura (appointed, advisory)

Seat distribution (Appointed after the November 2024 referendum), ordered from economic left to right.

PartyIdeologySeatsRole
Appointed Shura members (parties banned) (SHURA)Royal appointees45governing
Ideology

Party Landscape

Each party placed on economic and social axes, sized by seats.

Institutions

The System

Official name
State of Qatar
Capital
Doha
Population
3 million
Statehood
Independence 1971; permanent Constitution 2004 (amended 2024)
System
Absolute monarchy
Structure
Unitary
Current constitution
2004
Legislature
Shura Council
Lower / sole chamber
Majlis al-Shura (appointed, advisory) (45 seats)
Electoral system
Shura Council fully appointed since the 2024 referendum; municipal council elected.
Term limits
None; hereditary succession within the Al Thani family.

Sources

  • Qatar News Agency
  • Ministry of Interior (referendum results)
  • EIU Democracy Index 2024; Freedom House, Freedom in the World 2025; RSF World Press Freedom Index 2025; Transparency International CPI 2024; IPU Parline, 2026; V-Dem v15 Liberal Democracy Index (approximate five-year readings)

Last verified 2026-10-29. Party placements are editorial estimates.

Data as of 2026-10-29.