Saudi Arabia · Government
Government and administration in Saudi Arabia
How the executive, legislature and administrative state are organised, and which body is responsible for what.
The three branches
- Head of state and government — King and Prime Minister
- Absolute monarch; the King has held the premiership personally except where delegated.
- Executive — Council of Ministers
- Appointed and removable by the King; exercises regulatory power by decree.
- Consultative — Shura Council
- 150 appointed members; may propose and review legislation but cannot enact it.
- Religious authority — Council of Senior Scholars
- Issues fatwa on questions of Sharia, including the compatibility of state measures.
- Succession — Allegiance Council
- Established 2006 to formalise succession within the royal family.
How legislation is made
There is no legislature with power to enact law. Proposals originate in ministries or the Shura Council, are considered by the Council of Ministers, and take effect as royal decrees signed by the King and published in Umm al-Qura. The Shura Council may study and recommend but its resolutions require royal approval, and the King may legislate without consulting it.
Enforcement institutions
- Public Prosecution
- Independent of the Ministry of Interior since 2017; directs criminal investigation.
- Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha)
- Investigates public-sector corruption; reports to the King.
- Capital Market Authority
- Regulates the Tadawul exchange and securities offences.
- Saudi Central Bank (SAMA)
- Banking, insurance and payments supervision; anti-money-laundering.
- Commission for the Promotion of Virtue
- Powers of arrest were withdrawn in 2016; role is now advisory.
Government bodies and regulators
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