Yemen Politics

Since the unification of the Yemen Arab Republic (north) and the Yemen Democratic Republic (south) in May 1990, the system of government of the Republic of Yemen is based on a five-member Presidential Council (three from the north, two from the south), led by President of the Republic Abd Rabbuh Mansur al-Hadi.

Parliament is bicameral, being formed by the Assembly of Representatives, of 301 deputies, and the Shura of 111 members. One of the main functions of Parliament is to choose the two candidates who will run in the presidential elections, thus being able to leave out prominent opposition leaders.

The president is elected by universal suffrage for a 7-year term and the parliament for a 5-year term.

The country is governed by a constitution approved by referendum on May 16, 1991, with the unification of Yemen; This was later reformed, in 1994 and 2001.

Political parties

In the parliamentary elections of April 2003, the General People's Congress held an absolute majority (238 seats). In addition, the Al-Islah (46), Socialist (8), Nasserite Popular Unionist Organization (3), Arab Socialist Renaissance Party (2) and 4 independent deputies won seats.