Politics Ledger · Middle East & North Africa

United Arab Emirates

Closed autocracyAbsolute monarchyFederalState ideology: Dynastic federal monarchy.
United Arab Emirates parliamentary seats — snapshot dated Chosen October 2023 (3y 1mo ago). Curated data may lag the live series. View data sources.
Updated todaysource: Curated
curated|
Updated todaysource: Curated
estimate
In charge
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi
Time in power
4.5 yrs
since 2022
Government seats
100%
majority
Next national vote
2027-10
FNC electoral college
Governance score
26/100
composite of five indices

Seven Trucial sheikhdoms federated in 1971 as British protection ended. Oil wealth from Abu Dhabi and Dubai's trade model turned the UAE into a global hub governed by hereditary rulers.

Leadership

Who Governs United Arab Emirates

Head of state
Holds executive power
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi
Since 14 May 2022 · 4.5 years
Age 65 (born 1961)ManRoute to power: appointed
Head of government
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai
Since 5 January 2006 · 20.8 years
Age 77 (born 1949)ManRoute to power: appointed
Ruling coalition
Federal Supreme Council of the seven emirate rulers
Main opposition
None permitted
Last national election
7 October 2023
FNC electoral college

About 400,000 hand-picked voters chose 20 members.

Next national election
By October 2027
FNC electoral college
Parliament

Federal National Council (advisory)

Seat distribution (Chosen October 2023), ordered from economic left to right.

PartyIdeologySeatsRole
Elected members (no parties) (ELEC)Non-partisan20governing
Appointed members (APPT)Royal appointees20governing
Ideology

Party Landscape

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

Institutions

The System

Official name
United Arab Emirates
Capital
Abu Dhabi
Population
11 million
Statehood
Federation formed 2 December 1971; Constitution 1971 (permanent 1996)
System
Absolute monarchy
Structure
Federal
Current constitution
1971
Legislature
Federal National Council
Lower / sole chamber
Federal National Council (advisory) (40 seats)
Electoral system
Half of the FNC chosen by an appointed electoral college; half appointed.
Term limits
Federal president elected by the Supreme Council of the seven rulers for five-year renewable terms.

Sources

  • UAE National Election Committee
  • WAM
  • 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.