Africa & Middle East · reference
🇧🇭 Bahrain
Constitutional monarchy with dominant royal power
SystemConstitutional monarchy with dominant royal power
Head of stateKing Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa
Head of governmentPrime Minister Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa
LegislatureNational Assembly · a 40-seat elected Council of Representatives and a 40-member appointed Shura Council
ElectionsParliamentary elections are held but the main opposition societies have been dissolved and their members barred
Last election2022-11-12 · Council of Representatives election
Next election2027-12 · parliamentary election, after the chamber's term was extended in April 2026
A Sunni monarchy rules a Shia-majority population, and the 2011 uprising was suppressed with Saudi assistance. The Al-Wefaq and Waad opposition groups were banned in 2016-17, leaving a parliament of loyalists and independents. Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet and normalised ties with Israel under the 2020 Abraham Accords.
Live encyclopedic leader and election records · verified 2026-07-02
The Margin models elections where a competitive public record exists · all countries