In a landmark announcement in 2005, the Government declared its intention to strengthen the representative nature of government, with the objective of wider political participation by the citizenry. A year later, moving closer to that promise, half of the 40 members of the Federal National Council (FNC) were elected, for the first time in the country's history, by a small number of super-electors.
Ever since, the FNC's role and visibility have grown as it fulfilled its mandate to question ministers and discuss the national budget. That mandate ends in February 2011, with new elections expected before. But first, a new electoral law needs to be passed, and the Government has not yet disclosed whether the number of eligible voters will be expanded for the next elections.
This is a good moment for FNC members to take stock of their performance over the past four years and suggest reforms. Notably, a senior member, Ali Jasem, is calling for lowering the voting age from 21 to 18. Similar thinking is coming from the Government: on Sunday, a senior official from the Ministry that oversees the FNC urged young Emiratis at Zayed University to take a greater interest and participate more in national politics.
Such outreach is certainly welcome. The nation's economic and political development requires the contribution of its citizens in the major decisions that impact their lives and choices. But encouraging a culture of political participation will require a sustained commitment by everyone, from the Government to the FNC to Emirati citizens. New ideas about the FNC's mandate are needed to sustain the momentum initiated by the Government five years ago.
Just as important, a more representative system depends on the FNC's communication with the public, and growing awareness about the assembly's role in society. This fact is not lost on the FNC. Recently, one member, Dr Fatima al Mazroui, did not shy away from telling the chamber an unpleasant truth: "A study conducted by the House showed that as many as 89 per cent of Emiratis do not know the exact powers of the legislature or even the number of its members."
Perhaps a more empowered FNC would garner more attention, but it is also true that a greater sense of citizenship is necessary for the good of the nation. Better communication and interaction with municipalities and emirate-level agencies is also important to address Emiratis' local concerns.
Participatory decision-making is not new to the UAE, as the tradition of the open majlis testifies. The question is how to institutionalise these relationships between the rulers and citizens. The UAE has a success story to tell, but what is equally important is a narrative of how that success has been built together.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Company%20Profile
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Manchester United's summer dealings
In
Victor Lindelof (Benfica) £30.7 million
Romelu Lukaku (Everton) £75 million
Nemanja Matic (Chelsea) £40 million
Out
Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released
Wayne Rooney (Everton) Free transfer
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad) £9.8 million