Who's On Top: Bahrain's Current Leadership

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has been the King of Bahrain since 2002, previously serving as Emir of Bahrain from 1999. He is the head of state of the Kingdom of Bahrain and enjoys wide-ranging powers, including appointing the prime minister and cabinet, holding supreme command over the defence force, and chairing the Higher Judicial Council. The King's family, the Al Khalifa dynasty, has ruled Bahrain since 1783.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa is the current king of Bahrain

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa was designated as heir apparent by his father on June 27, 1964, and appointed as the chairman of the irrigation council and Manama municipal council in 1968. He also joined the Bahrain National Guard in February 1968 and was appointed its commander the same year. In 1970, Hamad became the head of the Bahraini department of defence and held various other significant positions in the country's defence forces over the years.

Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain in 1999 after the death of his father, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. As Emir, he brought about several political reforms, including the release of all political prisoners, the dissolution of the State Security Court, and the abolition of the 1974 Decree on State Security Measures. He also focused on improving living standards and making Bahrain a financial hub.

In 2002, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa proclaimed himself the first king of Bahrain, thus becoming a constitutional monarch. As the king, he enjoys wide-ranging executive powers, including appointing the prime minister and ministers, commanding the army, chairing the Higher Judicial Council, and appointing the parliament's upper house. He has four wives and twelve children.

The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since 1783

After his death, two of his sons, Salman and Abdulla, moved to Bahrain and co-ruled it as feudal estates, imposing taxes on the indigenous Baharnah population. Salman settled on Bahrain Island and Abdulla on Muharraq Island, each ruling independently. The Al Khalifa soon became split into two branches, Al-Abdulla and Al-Salman, which engaged in open conflict between 1842 and 1846. The Al-Salman branch was victorious and enjoyed complete rule over Bahrain.

In 1869, British forces stepped in to end the fighting and appointed Shaykh Isa bin Ali, a great-grandson of Sulman, as ruler. Treaties in 1880 and 1892 confirmed Isa's undisputed position. In 1900, senior members of the Al Khalifa raised taxes on agricultural estates, sparking riots on the islands in 1923. This prompted Britain to exile Isa and replace him with his son, Hamad, who worked with British forces to restore order.

In 1971, when Britain granted Bahrain independence, Shaykh Isa took the title of amir and appointed his brother Khalifa as prime minister. In 1999, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa became the Emir of Bahrain and, in 2002, he declared Bahrain a kingdom and installed himself as king. The current ruler, Hamad bin Isa, is the son of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the previous and first emir.

The king of Bahrain has wide-ranging powers, including appointing the prime minister and cabinet

The current leader of Bahrain is King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who has been the head of state since 2002. The Al Khalifa family has been the ruling family of Bahrain since 1783.

The king of Bahrain has wide-ranging powers. He is the head of state and the government is appointed by him. The king's powers include the ability to appoint the prime minister and the cabinet, as well as holding supreme command over the Bahrain Defence Force. The king also chairs the Higher Judicial Council, appoints the parliament's upper house (the Shura Council), and can dissolve the elected lower house.

The current prime minister of Bahrain is Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the deputy commander of the Bahrain Defence Force. The prime minister is the head of government and is directly appointed by the king. The constitution does not require the prime minister to be an elected member of the Council of Representatives. Since gaining independence, Bahrain has only had two prime ministers. The current prime minister took office in 2020, following the death of his predecessor, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who was the king's paternal uncle.

Bahrain has been an independent country since 1971

On 16 December 1971, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa ascended to the throne as the first emir of Bahrain. The country celebrates this date as National Day, with fireworks, shows, and cultural events. The current ruler, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, became the Emir of Bahrain in 1999 and declared the country a kingdom in 2002, installing himself as king.

The politics of Bahrain since 2002 have taken place within a constitutional monarchy framework, with the government appointed by the king. The head of the government since 2020 is Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the prime minister and deputy commander of the Bahrain Defence Force. The parliament is a bicameral legislature, with the Council of Representatives elected by universal suffrage and the Consultative Council (or Shura Council) appointed directly by the king.

Since gaining independence, Bahrain has had only two prime ministers: Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the king's paternal uncle, and the current prime minister, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the crown prince.

The current prime minister is Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa

The current prime minister of Bahrain is Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. He has been the head of the Bahraini government since 2020, when he succeeded his great-uncle, Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who died on November 11, 2020.

Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was born in 1969 and is the son of the current king, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and his first wife, Sheikha Sabika bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. Before becoming prime minister, he served as deputy king, crown prince, and heir apparent. He also served as the First Deputy Prime Minister from March 2013 until November 2020.

Bahrain has been a constitutional monarchy since 2002, with the government appointed by the king. The king enjoys wide-ranging powers, including the ability to appoint the prime minister and cabinet, command the army, and chair the Higher Judicial Council.

The Al Khalifa family has ruled Bahrain since the late 1700s, with Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa becoming king in 2002. The king's powers are extensive, and he holds supreme authority over the country's political and military affairs.

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