Kuwait Forms New Government
Media Line News Agency
January 13, 2009
Kuwait has formed a new government, with few differences from previous cabinets.
Prime Minister Sheikh Na´sir Muhammad Al-Ahmad A-´Sabah´s new line-up replaces the previous government, which resigned over a dispute with the parliament.
Most ministers retained their positions, but the foreign minister is taking on the additional portfolio of oil minister until this position is manned.
The Kuwaiti government resigned in late November over a showdown with the parliament. The government quit to protest a parliamentary attempt to question the prime minister over the visit of an Iranian Shi´ite cleric, and corruption allegations.
Islamists lawmakers say the prime minister allowed a prominent Iranian Shi´ite cleric to enter Kuwait despite a legal ban. They are also accusing the government of corruption and squandering of public funds.
Critics say government resignations in Kuwait are often used as a way to avoid questioning of cabinet ministers.
This is the second political crisis in nearly a year, after the emir of Kuwait dissolved the parliament last March and called for new elections.
Since his appointment as prime minister in February 2006, A-´Sabah has formed four governments, resigned four times and conducted two major reshuffles.
Traditionally, the government is formed by the prime minister and approved by the emir.
The National Assembly has 50 members, who are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.
Analysts say that decreasing the number of constituencies in the May elections was originally meant to strengthen both parliament and government but say the recent crisis proves this thinking to be incorrect.
Prime Minister Sheikh Na´sir Muhammad Al-Ahmad A-´Sabah´s new line-up replaces the previous government, which resigned over a dispute with the parliament.
Most ministers retained their positions, but the foreign minister is taking on the additional portfolio of oil minister until this position is manned.
The Kuwaiti government resigned in late November over a showdown with the parliament. The government quit to protest a parliamentary attempt to question the prime minister over the visit of an Iranian Shi´ite cleric, and corruption allegations.
Islamists lawmakers say the prime minister allowed a prominent Iranian Shi´ite cleric to enter Kuwait despite a legal ban. They are also accusing the government of corruption and squandering of public funds.
Critics say government resignations in Kuwait are often used as a way to avoid questioning of cabinet ministers.
This is the second political crisis in nearly a year, after the emir of Kuwait dissolved the parliament last March and called for new elections.
Since his appointment as prime minister in February 2006, A-´Sabah has formed four governments, resigned four times and conducted two major reshuffles.
Traditionally, the government is formed by the prime minister and approved by the emir.
The National Assembly has 50 members, who are elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms.
Analysts say that decreasing the number of constituencies in the May elections was originally meant to strengthen both parliament and government but say the recent crisis proves this thinking to be incorrect.
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