Kuwait dissolves parliament, elections to be held

Kuwait's crown prince on Wednesday dissolved parliament and called for an early election following a stand-off between the government and elected assembly that has hindered fiscal reform.

The move follows a standoff between the government and the elected assembly that led to thwarting reforms in the country.

Sheikh Meshal said: “We will not interfere in people’s selection of their representatives, nor in the election of the speaker of the next elected parliament.”

The decision was announced by the crown prince in a speech on live television in which he said that decrees would be issued on those matters.

Kuwait's ruling emir, who has the constitutional power to dissolve parliament, made a brief appearance to say that Sheikh Meshal, his half-brother and designated heir, would speak on his behalf, effectively blessing the move.

The move comes at a time when several opposition lawmakers are staging an open ended sit-in at the parliament complex to press Sheikh Meshal to name a new prime minister to replace the caretaker premier who has faced a combative parliament as head of cabinet.

The government resigned over two months ago ahead of a non-cooperation motion in parliament against Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid, a member of the ruling family who has been premier since 2019.

Kuwait bans political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies, including the power to pass and block laws, question ministers and submit no-confidence motions against senior government officials.