Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani issued a decree setting October 2 for the country’s first legislative elections. Elections to the Shura Council, originally proposed in the 2003 constitution, will see 30 of the 45 council members elected by the population, with the other 15 appointed by the emir. A new electoral law excluded most naturalized Qataris and their descendants from participation, generating rare protests.

What motivated the Qatari leadership to proceed with these long-delayed elections? And what has been the reaction of Qatari citizens? What are the powers of the Shura Council, and will the elections change the nature of the political debate in Qatar? Who are some of the candidates hoping to get elected on October 2, and what political platforms are they running on? How will these elections be seen in a regional context as yet another Gulf state allows a degree of political participation?