Qatar's Government: An Absolute Monarchy (Emirate)

Qatar is an emirate—a hereditary absolute monarchy. The Emir (currently Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani) holds supreme executive, legislative, and judicial authority. He appoints the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. There are no national elections for the head of state or cabinet. The Advisory Council (Majlis al-Shura) has limited legislative review powers; two-thirds elected (2021), one-third appointed.

Political parties are banned. The legal system blends civil law and Sharia. Qatar ranks low on democracy indices but high on per-capita income and human development.