Qatar: 2013 Parliamentary Election Date Announced  · Global Voices
Amira Al Hussaini

Qatar today announced it will hold parliamentary elections in the second half of 2013. The announcement was made by the Qatari Emir Shaikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and welcomed by netizens, who hope that Qatar's support for the Arab revolutions is shaping a new tomorrow for Qataris.
Qatari Nawaf Al Thani remarks:
@NawafAlthani: Free elections , support of freedoms around the world a strong economy .. May it be known that the era of Pax Qatara Has started . #Qatar
Doha-based Foreign Policy editor Blake Hounshell reminds us:
@blakehounshell: The interesting thing about Qatar announcing elections is that there has been very little popular pressure to this effect
And Qatari journalist Abdulla Al Amadi [ar] starts planning:
Saudi Ahmed Al Zahrani laments [ar]:
And Mortadha Abdulla adds [ar]:
UAE-based journalist Tom Gara jokes:
@tomgara: Qatar is so rich its 2013 parliamentary elections will also elect the parliaments of Greece, France, Libya and 19 US states.
And Mona Kareem, a stateless person from Kuwait, attempts another joke:
@monakareem: #Qatar 2013 elections must be an Iranian conspiracy to embarrass #Saudi authorities!
At present, Qatar has a 35-member Advisory Council, appointed by the Emir, which shares some of the country's legislative power.