Political structure of the United Arab Emirates

The UAE is governed under a bilateral system divided between the Executive Branch, presided over by the President, Prime Minister and the Federal Supreme Council (FSC), and the Legislative Branch, the partly-elected Federal National Council (FNC). Though it is federal in theory, it is highly centralised in practice. 

All positions within the FSC are occupied by members of the royal families, whilst half of the FNC are appointed by royal decree and the other half elected from a pool of candidates approved by the rulers of each Emirate. As such, the monarchy maintains absolute authority within the UAE. 

Read the whole briefing here.