Brunei's political system is centered on the monarchy, which holds the country's highest governing authority. Hassanal Bolkiah serves as Sultan and Prime Minister of Brunei and occupies the central leadership role in the state.
Brunei is a hereditary monarchy in which the ruling monarch holds the predominant executive authority of the state. Cabinet ministers and senior officials exercise delegated responsibilities, but the monarch remains the central source of executive power and has broad influence over appointments, foreign policy, security, and the making of national policy.
A national consultative or legislative council participates in reviewing laws, budgets, or public policy according to the country's constitutional arrangements, but it does not displace the monarch as the principal governing authority. The judiciary and administrative institutions operate under laws and decrees issued within the monarchical system.
Brunei is a unitary state, meaning sovereign authority is principally vested in national institutions, although local and regional governments exercise powers assigned by law. The constitution defines the relationship among the executive, legislature, judiciary, and subnational administration.
