United Arab Emirates / Political situation

	U.A.E.
	INTRODUCTION 1. Political situation 2. Defense 3. Economy a. Figures 4. Health 5. Education a. Universities 6. Demographics 7. Religions a. Freedom 8. Peoples 9. Languages 10. History 11. Cities and Towns 12. Emirates

Index / Political situation /

United Arab Emirates /
Political situation

Emirs by Emirate
Abu Dhabi Khalifa ibn Zayid al-Nahayan
Dubai Maktum bin Rashid al-Maktum
Sharjah Sultan Bin Muhammad al-Qasimi
Ras al-Khaimah Saqr bin Muhammad al-Qasimi
Ajman Humaid bin Rashid an-Nuaimi
Fujairah Hamad bin Muhammad ash-Sharqi
Umm al-Qaiwain Rashid bin Ahmad al-Mu'alla
Emirs of the federation
Zayed bin Sultan an-Nahayan	1971-2004
Khalifa ibn Zayed al-Nahayan	2004-

The United Arab Emirates are stable politically. Even if there is no democracy, the citizens of the emirates enjoy a relatively high freedom of speech.

There are four levels of governing in the Emirates: President, High Council, Federal National Council, Local Emirs. A lot of power rests with the local emirs. There is no power beyond this, and ordinary citizens of the different emirates have no influence on political issues. Some discontent have been visible, represented partly by a coup in Sharjah in the late 80s.

By Tore Kjeilen