Saudi Arabia

Shura Council

Political system
Monarchy
Structure of parliament
Unicameral
IPU membership
Yes

Parliamentary mandate

Start and end of mandate

Not applicable. Members of this parliament/chamber are not elected.
Yes
Start of the parliamentary mandate for appointed members
When the member is sworn in

Sources: 1992 Shura Council Law, art. 11

End of the parliamentary mandate
On the last day of the chamber’s term (including in the case of early dissolution)

Speaker

Mode of designation of the Speaker
Other

Notes: The Speaker, Vice-Speaker, Assistant Speaker and Secretary General are appointed by royal decree. Their ranks, rights, duties, and all their affairs are also defined by royal decree.

Sources:

1992 Shura Council Law, art. 10
Royal Order no. A/181(14/12/1428 H)

Authority that designates the Speaker when the Speaker is designated from outside parliament.
Head of State
Rank of the Speaker in the hierarchy of the State
Other

Notes:

The state hierarchy is primarily headed by the King, who is both the head of state and government, and the Crown Prince, who is the King’s designated successor and the deputy prime minister. The Speaker is a senior position within the legislative branch of the government, but the Shura Council’s role is consultative.

In the event of travelling abroad, the King issues a Royal decree delegating to the Crown Prince the management of the affairs of state and looking after the interests of the people, as defined by the Royal decree.

Speaker becomes interim Head of State in the event of the latter’s death or incapacity
No

Notes: The Crown Prince is the King’s designated successor

Speaker's mandate continues between legislatures
No

Speaker terms

The term of the Speaker is different from the term of the house
No
Speaker's term
4 Years
Fixed election date for the Speaker, if any
No information available

Immunity and code of conduct

Parliament’s authorization is required for the detention or prosecution of members
No information available
There is a Code of conduct for members
No information available

Salaries and allowances

Members are paid salaries by parliament
Yes
(2020)
Basic salary, per year
276,000 SAR
(2023)

Notes: Members who held public office before joining the Shura Council, with a rank that provided higher salary and/or benefits than those for Council membership, will have the difference paid by the Council. If their previous position included benefits exceeding those for Council membership, they will continue to receive those benefits.

Sources: Rights and Duties of Shura Council members, art. 2-3

Basic salary, per year in PPP
131,429
(2023)
Basic allowances
0 SAR
Basic allowance in PPP
0
Names of the basic allowances

A lump sum is given to cover the value of a car, driver, maintenance and fuel

Members pay income tax on salaries
Yes
Members pay income tax on allowances
No
Members can have remunerated employment outside parliament
No
Members are required to declare income from other employment to parliament
No information available
Additional salaries and allowances provided for leadership positions
No

Facilities, services and allowances for constituency work

Personal staff to work directly for the parliamentarian
Yes
Office at parliament
No
Constituency office
Yes
Housing
No
Other cash or in-kind allowances for constituency work
No
Additional salaries and allowances for leadership positions
List of salaries and allowances for leadership positions
Salary Allowances
Speaker No No
Committee Chair No No
Salary of the Speaker
No information available
Parliament determines the amount of salaries
No
Name of the institution outside parliament which determines the amount

Royal Court

Parliament determines the amount of allowances
No
The parliamentary salary is determined in reference to another salary scale
No
Reference scale used for parliamentary salaries
No information available
Information on salaries and allowances on the parliamentary website

Remuneration for titles and grades of positions at the Council shall be determined in the budget and may be modified during the fiscal year by a decision of the Chairman.

Year data was last reported

2020

Participation in the government

Members of the government must also be members of parliament
Cannot be a member of parliament

Notes: The membership of Majlis Ash-Shura may not be combined with any governmental post, or with the management of any company, unless the need for such an exception arises and the King deems it necessary.

Sources: Majlis Ash-Shura Law, art. 9

Members for whom data is available
142
(2024)

Historical data for IPU membership

Historical data for IPU membership
Year IPU membership
2020-09
List of values for 2020-09
No
2019-04
List of values for 2019-04
No
2018-06
List of values for 2018-06
No