On May 14, 2022, the United Arab Emirates’ Supreme Council of the Union elected Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the ruler of the emirate of Abu Dhabi, as the new president of the union and pledged allegiance to him. The election came after the death of the president of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed.
The seven emirates, consisting of Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al Quwain, established the union in 1971.
The Supreme Council of the Union is a government body consisting of the rulers of all the emirates of the union. Each emirate has a single vote in the council. (Constitution of the UAE art. 46.)
Election of a New President
The Supreme Council of the Union elects a president of the union from its members. (Art. 51.) In the event that the office of the president becomes vacant because of the death of the president, the Supreme Council is called into session within one month of date of the death of the president to elect a successor to the vacant office. (Art. 53.) The term of office of the president is five years, subject to renewal. (Art. 52.)
Duties of the President
Regarding the Supreme Council of the Union, the president of the union acts as the council’s chairman and has the power to call the council into session and the council and Cabinet into joint session at any time. He also has the authority to sign federal laws, decrees, and decisions issued by the council and supervise their execution.
In addition, the president appoints and dismisses the chairman of the Cabinet, with the agreement of the Supreme Council; appoints the diplomatic representatives of the union abroad and other senior public officials; accepts the accreditation of foreign diplomatic representatives to the UAE; and represents the union in all international relations.
Finally, the president of the union exercises the right to pardon individuals or commute their sentences and to grant medals to civilians and military service members.