Kuwait launches dialogue to end parliament standoff

The long-awaited national dialogue was launched on 4th October with closed-door meetings between the government and representatives of the National Assembly, amid mixed reactions and hopes.

HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Minister of Islamic Affairs Essa Al-Kandari and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Mubarak Al-Harees represented the government.

Hit hard by lower oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic last year, the wealthy OPEC producer faces liquidity risks largely because the elected parliament, which returned from summer break on Oct. 26, has not authorised government borrowing.

Kuwaiti political groups and lawmakers yesterday strongly welcomed a call by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the government and the National Assembly to start a national dialogue to resolve all problems in the country.

At least six political groups welcomed the call and expressed the hope it will lead to resolving the country’s political impasse and put the country back on the right track. The first term of the National Assembly was marred with endless political disputes that disrupted assembly sessions and put the country in political paralysis.

“An optimistic atmosphere prevailed and all parties are keen to emerge from the deadlock,” the local Al-Oula24 TV quoted parliamentary sources as saying following the session. The sources added the session lasted for four hours and tackled issues including a general pardon, freedoms, economic reforms, the electronic crimes law and protecting the prime minister against grillings, adding that a second session has been set for tomorrow, according to the TV channel.