KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait’s emir dissolved Parliament yesterday and called for new elections within two months, saying some lawmakers had abused democracy and become a threat to stability.
Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah said the people needed to choose another Parliament because national unity was in danger. “God knows the decision I made today was not easy for me,” he said in a televised speech.
It is the second time in a year the emir has disbanded the confrontational legislature, which has a contentious relationship with the Cabinet.
The move was largely expected after the Cabinet resigned two days ago to prevent the prime minister from being questioned by lawmakers accusing him of misuse of funds and failing to run the country.
Many, including some parliamentarians, have said the accusations were actually unfair, overly vague and personal in nature. Parliament has a large contingent of conservative members that are often at odds with the ruling Cabinet.
The emir conceded the Cabinet was partly to blame in repeated political crisis over recent years, but said the assembly was not helping matters by misusing its constitutional tools.
Sheikh Sabah may appoint the crown prince, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as prime minister, news channels and lawmakers said earlier yesterday.
“The semi-confirmed information we have received is that participants (at a meeting of ruling family members) agreed that Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf should assume the post of prime minister,” Dubai-based Al Arabiya television said, quoting unspecified sources.
Al Jazeera television carried a similar report, saying Sheikh Sabah would issue a decree naming Sheikh Nawaf after discussing the appointment, in line with tradition, with current and former Parliament speakers.
Two members of Parliament who declined to be named said the crown prince was likely to become prime minister but final consultations within the ruling Sabah family were still to take place yesterday. “Sheikh Nawaf has agreed but has not been appointed yet,” one MP said.
Monica Malik, a regional economist at investment bank EFG-Hermes, said elections may not end the crisis.
“We do not believe the new makeup of Parliament will be substantially different than the recent ones, that is dominated by Islamists and tribal alliances. This will result in continued opposition to the government reform program,” she said.
