Government and Politics of Saudi Arabia

Government Type

monarchy

Administrative Divisions

13 provinces (mintaqat, singular - mintaqah); Al Bahah, Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah, Al Jawf, Al Madinah, Al Qasim, Ar Riyad, Ash Sharqiyah (Eastern Province), 'Asir, Ha'il, Jizan, Makkah, Najran, Tabuk

Legal System

based on Islamic law, several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

none

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Saudi Arabia; a child born out of wedlock in Saudi Arabia to a Saudi mother and unknown father dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (son of the monarch, born 31 August 1985); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (since 23 January 2015); Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud; note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch and includes many royal family members; Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman serves as First Deputy Prime Minister and holds significant governing authority elections: none; the monarch is hereditary

Legislative Branch

Consultative Council or Majlis al-Shura (150 members and a chairman appointed by the monarch for four-year terms); the body serves in an advisory capacity, reviewing legislation and government policies, but does not function as an elected parliament. In 2013, King Abdullah issued a royal decree reserving 20 percent of Majlis al-Shura seats for women, a landmark development that resulted in 30 women being appointed to the council. Municipal council elections have been held periodically, with the 2015 elections marking a significant milestone as Saudi women were permitted to vote and stand as candidates for the first time. The council may propose draft laws and review royal decrees, but ultimate legislative and executive authority remains with the monarch and the Council of Ministers. There are no political parties in Saudi Arabia, and all members of the Majlis al-Shura continue to be appointed rather than elected.

Judicial Branch

Supreme Council of Justice

Political Parties

none

Head of State

King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

Head of Government

King and Prime Minister SALMAN bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud

Cabinet

Council of Ministers is appointed by the monarch every four years and includes many royal family members

Constitution

governed according to Shari'a (Islamic law); the Basic Law that articulates the government's rights and responsibilities was introduced in 1993

Independence

23 September 1932 (Unification of the Kingdom)

National Holiday

Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)

International Organization Participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BIS, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OAS (observer), OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (observer)

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador TURKI al-Faysal bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud chancery: 601 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20037 telephone: [1] (202) 342-3800 consulate(s) general: Houston, Los Angeles, New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador James Curtis OBERWETTER embassy: Collector Road M, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh mailing address: American Embassy, Unit 61307, APO AE 09803-1307; International Mail: P. O. Box 94309, Riyadh 11693 telephone: [966] (1) 488-3800 FAX: [966] (1) 488-3989 consulate(s) general: Dhahran, Jiddah (Jeddah)

Capital City

Riyadh

Location

24 39 N, 46 42 E

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

the name derives from the Arabic word "riyadh," meaning "gardens," and refers to various oasis towns in the area that merged to form the city

U.S. Embassy Riyadh Abdullah Ibn Hudhafah As Sahmi Street, Roundabout no. 9, Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh Telephone: (966) (011) 488-3800 Fax: (966) (011) 483-0773 Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (011) 488-3800 U.S. Consulate General Dhahran Between KFUPM and King Abdulaziz Airbase, Dhahran Telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200 Fax: (966) (13) 330-6816 Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (13) 330-3200 U.S. Consulate General Jeddah Falasteen Street intersecting with Al-Andalus Street, Jeddah Telephone: (966) (12) 667-0080 Fax: (966) (12) 669-3098 Emergency after-hours telephone: (966) (12) 667-0080

Military Branches

Ministry of Defense and Aviation Forces: Royal Saudi Land Forces, Royal Saudi Naval Forces (includes Marine Forces and Special Forces), Royal Saudi Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Malakiya as-Sa'udiya), Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces, Royal Saudi Strategic Rocket Forces, Saudi Arabian National Guard (SANG)

Service Age and Obligation

17 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription