Kuwait terminates parliament as political turmoil continues

Kuwait suspends parliament after ministers boycott session over lawmaker’s speech

Kuwait disbanded its parliament on Thursday following a prolonged deadlock between government ministers and legislators, despite the appointment of a new emir in December. 

According to the official KUNA news agency, a “royal decree was issued to dissolve the national assembly” elected last June, following a proposal by the prime minister that was endorsed by the cabinet. 

The royal decree, as reported by KUNA, accused the parliament of violating the constitution, including the use of “offensive and inappropriate” language. 

This decision came after ministers boycotted a parliamentary session on Wednesday in protest of a lawmaker’s speech. 

Abdul Karim al-Kandari’s speech criticized both the cabinet and parliament, as well as the country’s new emir, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber.

The cabinet viewed the speech as an insult to the emir, who had called for improvements from the country’s executive and legislative branches in his inaugural speech in December. 

Kuwait faces ongoing disputes between elected lawmakers and cabinets appointed by the ruling Al Sabah family, which retains significant control over political affairs despite the existence of a parliamentary system since 1962. 

These standoffs have hindered the passage of economic diversification reforms by lawmakers, contributing to recurring budget deficits and limited foreign investment, creating a sense of pessimism. 

In his inaugural address, the emir criticized parliament and the cabinet for failing to meet their “national duties,” accusing them of harming the state and its people’s interests. 

Source: Newsroom