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Bahrain: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa

Overview

Government Name:
Kingdom of Bahrain
Constitution:
Adopted: 2002; Includes a new set of democratic reforms announced by Shaikh Hamand bin Isa Al Khalifa which include a promise to return to constitutional rule. Gave both legislative houses equal power after an initial promise that the upper house would be strictly advisory.
Government Type:
Constitutional Monarchy
Kingdom of Bahrain Flag
Coat of Arms of Kingdom of Bahrain

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

D
A high-risk political and economic situation and an often very difficult business environment can have a very significant impact on corporate payment behavior. Corporate default probability is very high. Source: Coface (2022)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

The prime minister is the executive head of government as well as the leader of the council of ministers.

The king is hereditary. The prime minister is appointed directly by the king. The Shura Council has 40 members who are appointed by the monarch.

Prime Minister: There has only been one since the country declared independence
Judicial

The civil law courts deal with all commercial, civil, and criminal cases in addition to disputes related to the personal status of "non-Muslims." Shari'a law courts have jurisdiction over all issues related to the personal status of Muslims.

Civil and shari'a law court judges are either members of the royal family or non-Bahrainis.

2 years
Legislative

The national assembly passes legislation which must be passed by a majority in both houses of the national assembly, and must be ratified by the king.

The council of representatives has 40 members who are elected by absolute majority vote in single-member constituencies.

No term limit

Regional Trade Blocs
Arab League
GCC

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Information not available
Tax Name:
Information not available

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/