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Subject
Federal National Council election.
Significance
Women won seven out of 20 available seats in what is being promoted as the ‘largest election to date’ in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The country on October 7 held the fourth-ever vote for membership of its only elected body, the Federal National Council (FNC), with results announced on October 13.
Impacts
The new Council will be a mechanism to cement the dominance of Abu Dhabi and -- to a lesser extent -- Dubai in national decision-making.
The FNC’s success may serve as a model for states like Qatar and Saudi Arabia to hold elections without direct accountability.
Any push to expand the FNC’s role beyond its current advisory status will be shut down and may prompt reprisals.
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2019
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