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UAE takes first step towards democracy

ABU DHABI — In a move aimed at facilitating wider participation of the citizens in governance, the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, announced yesterday that half the members of the Federal National Council (FNC) would be elected while the other half would be appointed.

The decision, which comes as a gift on the occasion of the 34th National Day, was aimed at making the House 'dynamic and energetic'.

In a statement here, Shaikh Khalifa said the move was aimed at facilitating wider participation and interaction of the citizens of the country to make the Council more capable, more effective and more sensitive to issues affecting the nation and the people.

Envisaging a bigger role for the FNC, Shaikh Khalifa said: “... the years ahead in our blessed march require a bigger role for the FNC by empowering it to be an authority that would provide great support and guidance for the executive arm of the government.”

People in leadership positions, businessmen, academicians and the general public have hailed the decision as the right move, but warned that in the absence of legislative authorities, it may not be very effective.