In institutional terms, parliamentary dissolutions are no stranger to the timeline, but these suspensions have typically led to elections for a new Assembly held 60 days after a dissolution in accordance with Articles 83 and of the Constitution. The revisions must be approved by the cabinet and the Emir, before being submitted either to a public referendum or the next Assembly in the next four years.
Since the passing of Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad in September , subsequent parliaments have failed to complete their four-year term. In the last five years, four elections have been called. Worse, the Cabinet, too, has been a revolving door, with a rotating cast as MPs attempted to influence ministerial appointments ā an Emiri prerogative.
While many observers viewed the recent actions as a regression from democracy, they should be interpreted as a pause to address systemic issues stamping out corruption, administrative and infrastructural fixes, and constitutional amendments , and pave the way for economic progress.
Additionally, as the paper discusses below, the unanswered question of succession complicates Kuwaiti politics, prompting a jostle for influence behind the scenes. The ascension of Emir Meshaal alters the approach of his predecessor Emir Nawaf ā dubbed the Emir of Pardons ā and ushers in a new era aimed at correcting underlying chronic problems. To prevent lawmakers from exploiting government positions for political gain, all new appointments, promotions, and transfers within the public sector were frozen.
Money laundering charges were also uncovered in the 1 Malaysian Development Berhad 1MDB case that passed through Kuwaiti hands, which found the son of a former prime minister guilty.
