Kuwait’s government announced the emirate’s draft 2021-22 budget this week, projecting yet another bumper deficit. Kuwait is staring at an eighth-consecutive annual deficit for the coming year, and amid further political chaos there appears little prospect of much-needed economic reform.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah tasked Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah with forming a new government on 24 January. The previous cabinet lasted less than one month before resigning en masse as parliamentarians filed a motion to question the prime minister over issues including his appointments to the cabinet (MEES, 15 January). That cabinet for now remains in place as a caretaker body while the prime minister draws up a replacement. (CONTINUED - 902 WORDS)