KUWAIT CITY, 10 July 2003 — Kuwait’s emir is set to strip the ailing crown prince of his post as prime minister to allow reforms in the country, politicians said.
For the first time in Kuwait’s history, the post of prime minister would be separated from the role of heir to the throne.
Political sources said Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, 75, is now widely expected to issue a decree appointing a new prime minister — a post held by the crown prince since Kuwait’s independence in 1961.
“This would set a historical precedent ... as it would virtually put an end to a traditional pattern of having the same person serving as both the crown prince and prime minister,” The Kuwait Times said yesterday.
Although the top post and other key government portfolios would still remain with the royal family, analysts say a move to separate the two posts is a first step toward reforms.
“Separating the posts of prime minister from crown prince is very important. It will enhance the power of Parliament,” said Jassem Al-Saadoun, a leading political and economic consultant. “You are at least potentially able to change the prime minister if he fails,” he told Reuters.
Analysts say the separation of powers is not enough for many reformists who want the prime minister’s job to be up for election.
But with government loyalists dominating the next Parliament after they trounced liberals in Saturday’s general elections, few expect any considerable shift in power in the years to come.
“This (expected decree) is not what we strategically want. We have a retarded, backward political system. What we need is full democracy,” said former Information Minister Saad ibn Tiflah. “What they are doing is putting the cart before the horse. The whole premise is wrong. Our women still don’t have the right to vote,” he told Reuters.
