Kuwait has its seventh government in three years
KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait announced a new government on Sunday (April 9), the seventh in three years of deep political crisis between parliament and the executive.
Despite being the only Gulf Arab country to have an elected government, Kuwait is mired in political turmoil that has brought reforms to one of the world’s largest crude oil producers to a halt.
The previous government resigned in January, just three months after taking office for the first time.
Kuwait adopted a parliamentary system in 1962, but repeated political crises have paralyzed the state.
“A decree from the Emirate has been issued (to confirm) the formation of a new government led by Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah,” the government said on its Twitter account on Sunday. .
The son of the country’s 85-year-old ruler, this will be his fourth government since August.
Major foreign investment portfolios, held by Salem al-Sabah, and oil, run by Bader al-Mulla, remained unchanged in the 14-member cabinet. Women hold public and social positions.
Despite its large oil reserves, Kuwait’s hospitals and educational services are deteriorating because of constant political controversies.
The country regularly faces confrontations between elected lawmakers and the cabinet installed by the ruling Al-Sabah family, which maintains tight control over political life.
Prime Minister Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah had submitted his government’s resignation earlier in January as lawmakers planned to question ministers about state financial management and a debt-relief bill that would favor the government. debt forgiveness for Kuwaiti citizens.
In March, however, the constitutional court invalidated the results of the legislative elections held last year – in which the opposition won the most seats – and ruled to restore parliament first. there.
The current emir of Kuwait, 85-year-old Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, has retired from political life in favor of Crown Prince Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber Al-Sabah, 82.
The lack of stability in the emirate has spooked investors and dashed hopes for reform in a wealthy nation that is trying to diversify in ways similar to Gulf powerhouse Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
