Kuwait Dissolves Parliament

The government of Kuwait has formally dissolved parliament in a decree.

The decree comes as the Gulf Arab state’s crown prince moved to resolve a standoff between the government and elected parliament that has hindered fiscal reform.

“To rectify the political scene, the lack of harmony and cooperation … and behaviour that undermines national unity, it was necessary to resort to the people…to rectify the path,” Sheikh Meshal said in the decree dissolving parliament.

The Finance Minister, Abdul al-Rasheed said the Parliament had not yet approved the state budget, and the budget for the fiscal year 2022/2023 would be approved after the elections, for which no date has been set yet, and that the government would continue to work according to the 2021/2022 budget.

Meanwhile, the previous government resigned in April ahead of a non-cooperation motion in parliament against Prime Minister, Sheikh al-Khalid, who late last month was replaced as premier by the current emir’s son Sheikh al-Sabah.

Report says political stability in Kuwait, has traditionally depended on cooperation between the government and parliament, the Gulf region’s most lively legislature. Kuwait bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

REUTERS/CO