Turmoil between the Kuwaiti parliament and the executive has stalled much-needed investment and reform.
Amid the ongoing political crisis, Kuwait has announced a new government, the seventh in three years for the oil-rich country.
The announcement came on Sunday, as the previous government stepped down in January, just three months after taking office.
“A decree of the Emir has been issued (for validation) of the formation of the new government headed by Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Ahmad Al-Sabah,” the government said. tweeted.
The main foreign affairs and oil portfolios, led by Salem Abdullah al-Jaber Al Sabah and Bader al-Mulla respectively, have not changed, while Manaf Abdulaziz al-Hajrey has been appointed Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs and Investment.
Amani Suleiman Buqammaz now holds the public works portfolio, while Mai Jazzem al-Baghli handles social affairs, the only two women in the cabinet.
“The biggest challenge for the government is to regain the trust of the people,” said Ahmad al-Din, a member of the political bureau of the Kuwaiti Progressive Movement, Reuters news agency reported.
“The removal of Abd al-Wahhab al-Rasheed [former finance minister]which was an element of tension with the 2022 parliament indicates that the current government is betting on the return of the 2022 parliament,” he added.
The group also said in a rack that the formation of the new government comes as Kuwait’s political crisis continues — a crisis she says cannot be resolved unless the state’s “authoritarian, non-democratic approach” is changed and “the mentality of the sheikh is unleashed” .
Despite having one of the world’s largest oil reserves and a strong fiscal and external balance sheet, turmoil between the Kuwaiti parliament and executive has stalled much-needed investment and reform.
Social services such as health care and education are in decline due to ongoing rifts between elected lawmakers and cabinets established by the ruling Al Sabah family.
Prime Minister Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al Sabah tendered the resignation of the previous government in January, just as lawmakers planned to challenge ministers over state finance management.
In March, however, the constitutional court overturned the results of last year’s parliamentary elections – where the opposition won most seats – and restored the previous parliament in its place.