Kuwait has announced a new cabinet led by Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Sabah, as per a royal decree issued Sunday by Emir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Emad al-Atiqi, Anwar Ali al-Mudhaf, and Abdullah Ali al-Yahya will continue as the oil, finance, and foreign ministers respectively, according to the decree.
Sheikh Ahmad, previously appointed prime minister in April, is the emir’s nephew.
“The Prime Minister and the ministers must adhere to this decree,” Sheikh Mishal stated in the decree.
The new government follows the indefinite dissolution of parliament on Friday, amid prolonged disagreements between the government and the elected parliament.
The emir also suspended certain articles of the constitution, including those requiring a new parliament to be elected within two months of dissolution and the approval of laws by the parliament and the emir.
State TV reported that the powers of the National Assembly would now be held by the emir and the country’s cabinet, granting Emir Al-Sabah full control over new legislation.
These changes are effective for up to four years, during which the democratic process will be reviewed, according to the Emir’s order on Friday. This marks the second dissolution of parliament this year.
Kuwait’s legislature holds significant influence compared to other Gulf monarchies, and political deadlock has often resulted in cabinet reshuffles and parliamentary dissolutions.
