Kuwait's Emir dissolves parliament amid legislative-executive standoff

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Feb 2024 23:44

The dissolution comes amid a fresh political crisis sparked by a parliamentary session boycott over a lawmaker's speech perceived as offensive.

Members of parliament take part of the new Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah's oath ceremony at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jaber Abdulkhaleg)

Kuwait's Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Thursday issued a decree to dissolve the country's parliament due to an irreconcilable standoff between the legislative and executive branches.

"Based on the prime minister's proposal and after approval by the Council of Ministers, we have decided that the National Assembly be dissolved," the emir's decree said, as quoted by the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

A fresh political crisis emerged in Kuwait on Wednesday, marking the first under the new emir, as ministers boycotted a parliamentary session in protest against a speech given by a lawmaker that they perceived as containing an "underlying offense."

The lawmaker in question is named Abdul Karim al-Kandari, who reportedly criticized the weakness of Arab rulers in supporting Palestine, which somehow led cabinet ministers to interpret this as an offense towards the emir.

KUNA reports that the dissolution of the parliament could also be linked to an audit of the expenses of the emir's office, which was initiated by one of the lawmakers in November.

Kuwait has long grappled with tensions between its cabinet and parliament, leading to a deadlock that has hindered crucial financial reforms in the nation such as diversifying the economy.

Moreover, persistent budget deficits and limited foreign investment have exacerbated the prevailing sense of pessimism.

Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was sworn in as Kuwait's new Emir on December 20, 2023, taking the oath of office in Kuwait's parliament after the death of his older brother Emir Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah a week earlier.

It is worth noting that Kuwait adopts a steadfast stance on the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state. The country is also committed to supporting the rights of Palestinians in the face of Israeli occupation.