Justice nullifies the 2022 legislative elections and restores the previous parliament

Unlike other Gulf states, Kuwait has a dynamic political life, where a parliament is elected for four-year terms with broad legislative powers and where debates are often lively. However, this oil-rich country has been rocked for years by frequent political crises that have hampered its attempts at economic reform.

A new turn in the country’s turbulent political life, the Constitutional Court of Kuwait nullified, on Sunday, March 19, the 2022 legislative elections won by the opposition, which had boycotted the elections for the past ten years to denounce Parliament’s interference. Executive in the legislature.

“The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a ruling on Sunday invalidating the results of the National Assembly elections.”The official Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) stated that the dissolution of the previous parliament was due to violations. The same source added that the court also ruled to restore the House of Representatives elected in 2020, which had been dissolved in June 2022 by a decision of Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

According to lawyer Nawaf Al-Yassin, the decision to nullify the recent legislative elections comes after several appeals challenging the regularity of procedures related to polling. “The appeals relate to the invalidity of the electoral process, decrees calling for elections, and the decree dissolving the former National Assembly.”He explained to Agence France-Presse.

Unrest impedes reforms

Kuwait is ruled by the ruling Al Sabah family, which retains the keys to power even if the elected officials have important powers and do not hesitate to perform performance ministers from the royal family who are accused of mismanagement or even corruption. Political parties are neither banned nor recognized, but many groups, including Islamists, operate de facto as political formations. The current Emir, Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who is 85 years old, remains estranged from political life in favor of the Crown Prince.

The government resigned on January 23, just three months after it was formed, in the latest episode in the deep political crisis gripping the country. The sixth government formed in three years, he was sworn in in October after the opposition won the legislative elections, hoping to end the political turmoil that was holding back any attempt at reform.

This démission était survenue alors que les parlementaires envisageaient d’interroger deux ministres au sujet d’un debat sur les prêts à la consommation et d’une mauvaise gestion des finances publiques de ce riche etat, l’un des principaux pays exportateurs de petrole brut In the world.

The resigned government promised to deal with important issues such as development projects, combating corruption and investments. Political instability in Kuwait has dampened investor appetite and hampered reforms in this country, which is certainly rich but is struggling to diversify its economy as its powerful Saudi, Qatari and Emirati neighbors are currently doing.