Bahrain MPs threw out proposed constitutional amendments that would have meant a shift in the balance of power between parliament and Shura Council.

They earlier unanimously voted in favour of the seven amendments, proposed by Al Wefaq in 2009, but decided to stand with the government's suggestion that they were unnecessary.

If the amendments had been approved, the parliament chairman would have the authority over both chambers.

Currently, the Shura Council chairman has the deciding vote if a decision by the entire National Assembly, which includes both the Shura Council and parliament, reaches a stalemate.

MPs earlier voted to transfer that power to the parliament chairman, meaning he would have chaired joint meetings of the Shura and parliament.

They also voted then in favour of a proposal to force the government to draw up a national budget annually, rather than the every two years.-TradeArabia News Service