Formation Of The Government, Articles 106 And 87, Amnesty Discussed In Mps, Pm Meet

It was a recent meeting of ten MPs - Thamer Al-Suwait, Abdulkareem Al-Kandari, Adel Al- Damkhi, Khalid Al-Otaibi, Fares Al-Otaibi, Muhammad Haif, Hamad Al-Obaid, Mubarak Al-Tasha, Muhammad Al-Mutair and Ammar Al-Ajmi - to discuss the formation of the new government with His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Jaber Al-Jaber Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Al-Suwait confirmed that the meeting yielded positive results; indicating the MPs objected to the enforcement of Article 106 of the Constitution while ignoring the applicable Article 87, which states the first parliamentary session should be held within two weeks after the election. He added they discussed the criteria for appointing ministers and the general amnesty. Meanwhile, His Highness the Prime Minister visited former National Assembly Speaker and newly elected MP Ahmed Al- Saadoun in his house in Khaldiya.

Discussions focused on current political issues, especially those related to forming a new government and holding the first session of the Assembly. Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf also met MP Marzouq Al-Hebeini — the pro tempore speaker based on age (oldest parliamentarian), who disclosed that he informed the premier about the violation in postponing the inaugural session as per Article 106 and the session should be held on Oct 13 (Thursday). He added that in case the session is not held on Thursday, the Assembly should meet on the next working day as per the Constitution.

The following MPs representing the Islamic Alliance Bloc are expected to meet Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf soon: Ahmed Lari, Khalil Abul and Hani Husain; along with Hassan Jowhar, Muhannad Al-Sayer, Abdullah Al-Mudaf, Mehalhal Al-Mudaf and Hamad Al-Matar; and the Five MPs Bloc that consists of Shuaib Ali Shaaban, Abdullah Fehad, Osama Al-Zaid, Hamad Al-Medlej, Shuaib Al-Muwaizri, Falah Al-Hajri and Soud Al-Asfour, among others. In addition, the Seven MPs Bloc issued a statement expressing their dissatisfaction over the formation of the government as it did not meet the public’s demands, which were expressed in the election results and reflected the directives in the Amiri Speech.

Even so, the bloc praised His Highness the Prime Minister's decision to revise the government formation and consult MPs. The bloc also called for correction of the Decree on postponing the inaugural session as per Article 106 — a violation of Article 87. In a relevant development, the Court of Cassation dismissed the appeal of MP Marzouq Al-Khalifa and 26 others convicted of participating in the primary elections of Bani Ghanim Tribe in 2020.

The court upheld the decision of a lower court which sentenced those involved to two years in prison. Constitutional expert Professor Muhammad Al-Fili clarified that the Central Jail directors can allow Al-Khalifa to attend the inaugural session to take the constitutional oath, stressing the latter are not obligated to issue a permit for this purpose.

He went on to say that Al-Khalifa and his colleagues could be granted Amiri amnesty, through which they will be released. He went on to say that in case Al-Khalifa will serve the prison term, the issue will be in the hands of the Assembly; which can keep his parliamentary membership valid until he completes the prison term and consider him absent with excuse or resigned. He added that if Al-Khalifa is considered resigned, the Assembly will announce his seat empty and then call for supplementary election.

Comments Post Comment

Leave a Comment

Submit