Kuwait: State media in Kuwait announced that the emir had dissolved the legislature and assumed certain of its responsibilities a few weeks after the Gulf nation held elections.
In a speech shown on state television on Friday, Emir Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah declared that the royally appointed government will take on certain of the National Assembly’s 50 members’ functions.
In addition, he withheld further details regarding the suspension of certain vague articles of the constitution for “a period of no more than four years.”
“The unhealthy atmosphere experienced by Kuwait in previous years has encouraged the spread of corruption to reach most state facilities, and unfortunately it reached the security and economic institutions,” the ruler said, adding that “it has even affected the justice system”.
“We have faced difficulties and obstacles that cannot be tolerated,” the ruler added.
The April polls marked Sheikh Mishal’s first election since he took office in December of the previous year, following the passing of his predecessor and half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah.
Parliament has dissolved several times as a result of the National Assembly and cabinet’s ongoing disagreements, which has limited investment and reforms intended to lessen the nation’s reliance on oil money.
Monday was scheduled to be the inaugural meeting of Parliament, but several lawmakers had declined to serve in the administration.
The emir blamed “the dictates and conditions of some” MPs for the failure to establish a government.
“Kuwait has been through some hard times lately … which leaves no room for hesitation or delay in making the difficult decision to save the country and secure its highest interests,” Sheikh Mishal said.
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