KUWAIT, 11 July 2006 — Kuwait’s Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah named a new Cabinet yesterday excluding two key figures as demanded by the opposition after its impressive election victory, but MPs blasted the government for “falling far below expectations”.
State media said the emir gave the energy post to Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, an energy sector outsider — keeping the portfolio within the ruling family, which also retained the other key foreign, defense and interior posts.
Massouma Al-Mubarak, who in 2005 became the first woman to hold a Cabinet post in the country when she was named planning minister, was given the communications post. She is the only woman member of Cabinet.
Outgoing Energy Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah and other Cabinet members had been accused by some ex-MPs of trying to influence the polls. Sheikh Ahmad denied the charges as campaign talk.
Mohammad Sharar, the outgoing state minister for Cabinet and Parliament affairs who had also come under attack from opposition and pro-reform figures, was also replaced.
Six ministers in the new lineup are members of the ruling Al-Sabah family, including Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah was retained as first deputy premier and minister of defense and interior, while Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah was retained as deputy premier and foreign minister.
Local newspapers said both Sharar and Sheikh Ahmad asked not to be in the new Cabinet. They said Sheikh Ahmad may head the National Security Council. The new oil minister held the labor post in the old Cabinet.
There were three new faces in the 15-member Cabinet while other ministers were given new portfolios, state news agency KUNA said. Returnees included Bader Al-Humaidhi, who as finance minister oversees Kuwait’s multibillion-dollar portfolio.
“The prime minister has responded in excluding the two controversial ministers which is positive, but the lineup falls far below the expectations of the Kuwaiti people,” opposition MP Nasser Al-Sane told reporters.
“We expected a stronger government, but it seems the results of the polls were not read well. Let’s hope there won’t be another showdown. However, we will judge it by its performance,” he added.
The June 29 elections were called one year early after Parliament was dissolved following a crisis between the previous government and MPs over an election reform bill.
The opposition, a loose alliance of Islamists, nationalists and liberals, won 33 seats in the 50-member Parliament where the 15 ministers who are not MPs can also vote. Under Kuwaiti law, the Cabinet does not require a vote of confidence from Parliament but MPs have the right to declare non-cooperation with it. The new Parliament is due to convene tomorrow.
