Emir dissolves Kuwait parliament to stem protests

Kuwait's Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah yesterday issued a decree dissolving parliament and setting the stage for fresh elections within 60 days. The decree cited "the stalling of achievements and threats to the higher interests of the nation" as the reasons to "go back to the nation to choose its representatives in order to overcome the existing obstacles and achieve national interests". The decision was announced shortly after an emergency cabinet meeting discussed the decree to dissolve parliament. Kuwait's parliament can only be dissolved by a decree from the Emir and, under Kuwait's constitution, general elections must be held within 60 days. Failure to elect a new parliament within the two-month period allows outgoing lawmakers to regain their seats. Opposition campaign The opposition has been campaigning for dissolution of parliament and the resignation of the government, arguing it was the only way out of a political and constitutional crisis that pitted lawmakers, mainly Islamists, with Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah and his government. The opposition claimed the government could not address Kuwait's growing national and international issues and called for a change of ministers. The situation was compounded following reports that at least 18 members of parliament had allegedly received illegal funds in their bank accounts to influence their voting. Although an investigation was launched by the public prosecutor after banks referred suspicious accounts to the central bank, the opposition insisted that the deposits, up to $300 million (Dh11.01 billion) according to some MPs, were illegal and were meant to win the support of the lawmakers in crucial voting processes. Shaikh Nasser, 71, stepped down last week and the Emir appointed Shaikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah, the outgoing defence minister, as the new premier. The new government will oversee the elections before it resigns and a new one is formed.