Fastest News Updates around the World

Kuwait’s Parliament Dissolved Once More: Fresh Elections Ahead

39

- Advertisement -

A new royal decree dissolved the Kuwaiti parliament, which was reinstated last month based on a ruling by the country’s Constitutional Court after a previous dissolution.

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah said last month that the Legislative Council would be dissolved and that new parliamentary elections would be held in the coming months.

The Gulf state, a member of OPEC, has witnessed prolonged bickering between the government and the elected parliament, which has hampered financial reforms.

Kuwait’s parliament, first elected in 2020, was dissolved last year in a bid to end the deadlock, and a vote was held in September in which the opposition gained ground. But the Constitutional Court in March overturned those results and reinstated the previous assembly.

Sheikh Mishaal, who signed the emiri decree on Monday, handed over most of the duties of the ruling Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, in late 2021. The Cabinet had submitted the decree to Sheikh Mishaal earlier today, according to a previous statement. by Kona.

Sheikh Mishaal had said last month that “the will of the people” requires new elections “accompanied by some legal and political reforms to move the country to a new phase of discipline and legal reference.” However, he did not go into detail about the repairs.

Kuwait bans political parties but has given its legislation more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf states. Political stability has traditionally depended on cooperation between the government and parliament.

The US-allied country has strong fiscal and external budgets, but internal infighting and political stalemate have hampered investment and reforms aimed at reducing its heavy dependence on oil revenues.

Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah, the emir’s son, had in January submitted his cabinet’s resignation over a dispute with the parliament elected in 2020. It was renamed prime minister in March, and a new government was announced this month.

Relations between the prime minister and the speaker of the now-dissolved parliament have also been strained. Spokesman Marzouq Al-Ghanim wrote on Twitter shortly after the decree was issued that he would run in the elections, a date that has yet to be announced.

Leave a Reply

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More