Latest News
- Globally, Kuwait Is Among The Top Consumers Of Incense And Oud O...
- Decrease Seen In Foreign Investment
- Kuwait Customs Seized 2 Containers Laden With Tobacco At Shuwaik...
- Unpaid Salaries, Accountant Beaten Up By Workers
- The Sahel App Was Not Hacked, A Spokesman Claims
- Four Expats Arrested For Stealing Copper Cables Worth 60,000 Din...
- Indian National Died In Abdalli Car Accident
- Work Permits And Foreign Worker Transfers Are Amended By PAM
- Kuwait Weekend Temperatures Will Hit 39 Degrees
- In Just Two Years, The Civil Service Bureau Sees A Surge Of 10,0...
- Kuwait's Commitment To Combat Human Trafficking
- Kuwait's Announces Modernizing Renewable Energy Update
Cabinet Resignation At Disposal Of Pm – Politicking Aggravates Economic Crisis
His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received at Seif Palace on Tuesday Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali Al-Sabah and the ministers. Sheikh Hamad Jaber Al-Ali tendered resignation of all the cabinet members, putting the resignation at His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled’s disposal, and that is, “In light of current developments regarding the relation between the National Assembly and the Government, and what the national interest may warrant.” Cabinet resignation Tuesday, is the latest development in a cycle of clashes between the government and lawmakers that long has convulsed the State with the strongest parliament in the Gulf.
Cabinet ministers submitting their resignations to His Highness the Prime Minister.
The move, while not a surprise after some 30 lawmakers backed a no-confidence motion against the government this month, reveals how the country’s politicking has caused instability, diminished public confidence and aggravated the oil-rich state’s worst economic crisis in decades. The ministers quit after the recently elected members of parliament, more than 60% of them new faces, grilled the prime minister to protest his new Cabinet appointments.
The decision to reinstate the old parliament speaker, who hails from an elite merchant family, stirred anger among new lawmakers skeptical of corruption and the country’s patronage system. The prime minister must now submit the resignations to His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who is widely expected to accept them. During their interrogation of the prime minister last week, lawmakers accused him of staffing the Cabinet with “provocative and unqualified members,” according to local media.
Other sore points included the choices for interior minister and justice minister, who opposed a draft law on Kuwait’s stateless people that parliament had hoped to pass. The tensions boiled over in last week’s parliamentary session, with footage showing shouting matches and physical brawls in the chamber. Security guards struggled to restrain lawmakers wearing traditional headdress and robes as they clambered over rows of chairs, screaming at supporters and friends of the parliament speaker.
“The lawmakers are trying to bring reforms, but they feel their hands are tied because the government keeps bringing in the same old faces,” said Mohammed al- Yousef, an independent Kuwaiti political analyst. “The system is designed to create deadlock.” The resignation of the government raises concerns that the emir may dissolve parliament and force a second election in as many months. It wouldn’t be the first time. Kuwait’s unusual combination of an emir-appointed government and elected parliament frequently gives rise to wrangling that analysts say impedes the country’s economic and social progress.
The parliament can introduce legislation and question ministers, though the country’s emir retains ultimate authority and ruling family members hold senior posts.
Last year, the ratings agency Moody’s downgraded Kuwait for the first time in its history as the coronavirus pandemic and plunging oil prices burned a hole in the country’s finances. Even with the treasury rapidly depleting, the government has no legal framework to deficit-spend beyond its current limit of $33 billion without parliamentary approval. Lawmakers have fiercely opposed raising the debt ceiling, fearing the money will be pillaged thanks to corruption.
SOURCE ARABTIMES KUWAIT
Trending News
-
Eid Al Fitr 2024: Crescent Moon Not Sighted In Sau...
08 April 2024
-
Kuwait Implements Home Biometrics Services Ahead O...
14 April 2024
-
When Will Eid Al Fitr 2024 Take Place In Qatar, Ba...
08 April 2024
-
On Sunday, The Meteorological Department Warns Of...
07 April 2024
-
Kuwait Airways Provides Update On Flight Schedule...
14 April 2024
-
Gathering For Eid Al-Fitr Prayers: Kuwaiti Citizen...
10 April 2024
-
Winners Of Kuwait National Assembly 2024 Elections
06 April 2024
-
Kuwait Airways Introduces Convenient Home Luggage...
15 April 2024
-
Bay Zero Water Park Kuwait: Summer Season Opens Ei...
11 April 2024
-
An Egyptian Expat Dies At Kuwait's Airport
11 April 2024
Comments Post Comment