Kuwaitis will go to the polls on 5 December to vote in the emirate’s parliamentary elections. The previous elections were held in November 2016 and the resultant parliament lasted its full four-year term, a rarity in Kuwait (MEES, 2 December 2016). However, this rare period of institutional stability didn’t presage improved relations between MPs and the government, and the fractious relationship ensured that key legislation and capital projects were held up.
The elections come shortly after the passing of Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad in late September and subsequent appointment of his long-serving crown prince, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad, as Emir (MEES, 2 October). Top of the agenda for the incoming parliament and government will be Kuwait’s debt law, which has been unable to get through parliament. Without it, Kuwait is unable to borrow to cover its deficit and Finance Minister Barak al-Sheetan has warned about the emirate’s ability to pay public sector salaries (MEES, 21 August). (CONTINUED - 157 WORDS)