Bahrain

Oversight

Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities

Oversight tools

Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Number of written questions asked, per year
23 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
23 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
No
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
(2021)
See historical data for this field.

Head of State and/or Government

Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 33(d)
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament does not play a role
Notes
Bahrain is a hereditary monarchy.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 1(b)

Impeachment and confidence motions

Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Not applicable (there is no procedure)
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Not applicable
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Notes
Any Minister and individual members of the National Assembly may be removed for loss of confidence.
The subject of confidence in the Prime Minister shall not be raised in the Chamber of Deputies, rather a motion of "inability to cooperate with the Prime Minister" may be put forward with the support of at least ten members. If the Chamber of Deputies approves the motion by a two-thirds majority vote, the King then decides whether the Prime Minister shall be removed and a new cabinet appointed, or if the Chamber of Deputies should be dissolved.
Source Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Art. 65-66, 67 and 99
Internal Regulations of the Council of Representatives, Art. 152
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No
Dissolving chambers
Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that can be dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Notes
Constitution, Art. 42(c) and 99.