DOMESTIC POLITICS: The Economist Intelligence Unit expects Qatar to remain stable and secure under the rule of the emir in 2010-11. His rule and economic policies will continue to generate little opposition, largely because the government has ensured that Qatari citizens have benefitted from the wealth that the country has generated over the past decade. An electoral law was passed in May 2008 that settled a number of disputes about the franchise and paved the way for the creation of a two-thirds elected Advisory Council with limited legislative powers, although the term of the current (fully appointed) Council was subsequently extended until mid-2010. The Council's term could conceivable be extended once again, but even if an election is held, the ruling family will maintain its hegemony over policymaking because of the limited powers granted to the Council by the 2005 constitution.

Source: Qatar: Country outlook

Source: Country Forecast Qatar June 2009

Source: EIU Country Data