In a recent dramatic turn of events, Kuwait’s leader Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah announced the dissolution of the parliament and the suspension of certain constitutional provisions, in his televised speech. The announcement came just a few weeks after the national elections – the first held under Sheikh Mishal’s reign – in the aftermath of which the members of the parliament were reportedly unable to form a government.
According to Kuwaiti state media reports, some of the powers granted to the National Assembly will be taken over by the executive cabinet. Sheikh Mishal, who ascended to power in December after the death of his half-brother and predecessor, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, laid out corruption within the government as a key reason for such drastic measures. The Sheikh proclaimed his resolve against corruption, stating firmly that “no one is above the law.”
The Sheikh’s move follows years of persistent gridlock in Kuwait’s parliament. This long-lasting deadlock, especially regarding investment and the country’s much-needed reforms to reduce dependence on oil, reportedly led to previous dissolutions of the government. Sheikh Mishal criticized certain members of the government for their lack of promptness in deciding about these essential reforms.
Kuwait, however, is no stranger to governmental dissolutions. In 2016, Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, the then Emir, decreed the parliament’s dissolution, driven by “mounting security challenges as well as volatile regional developments.” In recent years, the country has faced a growing wave of civil unrest, fueled in part by decreasing global oil prices and ensuing austerity measures.
In conclusion, while Sheikh Mishal’s announcement marks another chapter in Kuwait’s political landscape, the repercussions of these changes, particularly on reforms and governance, are yet to be seen.