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The Allegiance Council (Arabic: هيئة البيعة Hay’at al-Bay‘ah; also known as the Allegiance Commission or Allegiance Institution) is the body responsible for determining future succession to the throne of Saudi Arabia. It was formed in 2006 by King Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud. At the time of its formation, the Council's intended function was to appoint a Crown Prince once a new King succeeds to the throne.[1] However, with the death of Abdullah's heir Crown Prince Sultan in 2011, and the appointment of Prince Nayef as Crown Prince, the Council's role remains unclear.[2]
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Previously, under Chapter 2 of the Basic Law promulgated by King Fahd, the appointment of the next in line was the sole prerogative of the King:
| “ | The King chooses the Heir Apparent and relieves him of his duties by Royal order. | ” |
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—Chapter 2, Article 5(c) of the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia. |
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The appointment of a successor by the King was usually done with some form of informal consensus among members of the royal family.[3] However, after Abdullah succeeded Fahd as King, the behind-the-scenes battles over the future of the monarchy intensified, particularly between Abdullah and the Sudairi princes, including Crown Prince Sultan and Prince Nayef.[1][4] Due to increasing uncertainty of succession beyond Sultan, King Abdullah issued the Allegiance Institution Law in 2006, which formally established the Allegiance Council.[5] The Council gave additional voice to members of the Al Saud when a new King selects his Crown Prince.
According to an October 2009 diplomatic cable from the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh, the Al Saud describe the Council as a "codification of the unwritten rules that have governed the selection of Saudi rulers since the passing of King Abdulaziz in 1953."[6]
The role of the Council was intended to take effect once Sultan succeeded to the throne. However, in 2009, when Sultan was gravely ill with cancer, Prince Nayef was appointed Second Deputy Prime Minister (a position for the crown prince in waiting), presumably to keep the position of Crown Prince within the Sudairi faction.[7] This has led to uncertainty over the role of the Council.[1] The appointment was openly questioned by Prince Talal, a senior prince.[8][7]
Under the Allegiance Institution Law, the King nominates up to three candidates for the position of Crown Prince. The Allegiance Council then selects one of them as Crown Prince.[5] If the Council rejects all of the King's nominees, it may nominate its own candidate. The Crown Prince will be then decided by a vote among the Council:
| “ | In the event that the King rejects the committee’s nominee, the Allegiance Institution will hold a vote to choose between the King’s candidate and its own in accordance with Sections A and B of this Article. The nominee who secures the majority of votes will be named Crown Prince. | ” |
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—Article 7 of The Allegiance Institution Law.[5] |
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The Council also preempts the possibility of the King becoming incapacitated. In the event the King permanently loses his ability to exercise his powers, the Council will declare the Crown Prince as King.[1][5] If both the King and the Crown Prince become permanently incapacitated, the Council will form a five-member Transitory Ruling Council to temporarily assume administration of the Kingdom. The Council will also select a new King within seven days.[5]
The Council comprises all branches of the Al Saud descended from the Kingdom's founder, King Abdul-Aziz Al Saud ("Ibn Saud"). Members include surviving sons of Abdul-Aziz, grandsons whose fathers are deceased, incapacitated or unwilling to assume the throne and the sons of the King and Crown Prince.[5] It currently consists of 33 members: 14 surviving sons of Abdul-Aziz and 19 grandsons, each representing his deceased or incapacitated sons.[8] This was seen as way to diminish the influence of the seven Sudairi brothers, who could be easily outvoted in the Council.[1][8] Despite this, the Sudairi are said to have influence over more than half the council members.[7]
One of King Abdul-Aziz's sons, Prince Fawwaz, was a member at the Council's inception but died in 2008 without sons.
Prince Talal resigned from the Council three weeks after the appointment of Prince Nayef as Crown Prince in 2011. His resignation means one of his sons might take his position in the Council.[9]
The Council is chaired by Prince Mishaal, who is not considered to be in the line of succession.[1] Members swear an oath of allegiance to the King.[10]
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