As the Federal National Council marks its 45th anniversary on February 12, it’s an opportunity to celebrate its achievements and look at its potential. The advisory body is a modern translation of the UAE’s traditional social system in which representatives of the people are participating in the decision-making process through active engagement.
The FNC was established on February 12, 1972, shortly after the formation of the UAE, at a time when the political system was beginning to take shape. The constitution gives the council the right to review federal draft laws and offer recommendations for the Cabinet to consider and approve, as well as to summon and question federal ministers regarding the performance of their ministries. It also has the power to discuss the annual budget to ensure transparency and efficiency.
Over the past 45 years, the FNC has gone through several phases of development. While all members of the council were initially picked by the leadership, President Sheikh Khalifa’s 2005 strategic plan to empower the council marked the beginning of a gradual process to engage citizens in political life. In the 2006 elections, 6,689 out of about 800,000 Emirati citizens were eligible to run and vote, and 20 members out of the total assembly of 40 were elected. The electoral college was expanded in 2011 to include 129,274 members, or about 12 per cent of nationals. At the most recent elections in 2015, the number grew further to 224,279, and eligible voters outside the country were allowed to vote for the first time.
The FNC has discussed many of issues and drafted laws concerning the welfare of the people. It has given voice to people across the seven emirates. At The National, we are proud to have reported on discussions at the FNC assembly hall, to have profiled its members and highlighted the issues that interest them. Many of these issues have touched the minds and hearts of our readers and provoked wider discussion.
We are optimistic about the future of the FNC, which is expected to develop further under the 2016-2021 Parliamentary Strategy launched in November. We live in challenging times that require flexibility, continual political development and active community engagement. The experience of the UAE is important for the whole region, as the success of the FNC inspires other countries to look to the future of governance.
