Middle East insights: A closer look at Kuwait parliamentary election

Editor's note: Middle East Insights is a special feature series by CMG Middle East station, offering a comprehensive analysis of pivotal regional issues spanning politics, economics, culture and other pertinent fields within the area.

The 18th National Assembly election in Kuwait commenced on April 4, with 255 candidates across five constituencies nationwide, ultimately electing 50 members of parliament. The Election News Center declared the results the next day, with the opposition securing a majority by winning 29 out of 50 seats.

Kuwait stands as the sole Gulf Arab country with an elected parliament. Evolving from the Emirate of Kuwait, established by the Al-Sabah family in the mid-18th century, Kuwait attained independence in 1961. After the passing of the 86-year-old Kuwaiti Emir, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, on December 16, 2023, his 83-year-old half-brother, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, assumed the throne as the new Emir.

Kuwaiti citizens boast a long-standing and dynamic history of political participation, with mechanisms for electing public institutions dating back to around 1930. In November 1962, Kuwait promulgated its constitution, establishing the National Assembly the following year. According to the constitution, the Kuwaiti National Assembly serves as the country's legislative body, primarily tasked with enacting and passing national laws and regulations and overseeing the implementation of state finances.

Notably, the prime minister and ministers, if not elected as members of parliament, can automatically assume parliamentary roles by virtue of their positions. However, their number cannot exceed one-third of the elected members. Kuwaiti women gained full voting rights starting in 2006. In the recent election, approximately 835,000 voters participated, with women comprising 51.4 percent of the electorate, resulting in the election of one female member of parliament.

The National Assembly initially played a significant role in democratic oversight and advisory functions. However, the power struggle between the parliament and the government has shaped Kuwait's unique political environment in the region.

"The National Assembly has brought significant changes to various aspects of the country's development, including society, culture, healthcare, education, and more,"  local voter Mousall al-Bakr told CMG.

Conversely, the National Assembly has the power to question the prime minister and ministers on internal and external policies, leading to prolonged standoffs between the parliament and cabinets appointed by the Al-Sabah family, sometimes resulting in political crises.

In the past decade, the Kuwaiti National Assembly has passed several motions of no confidence against the government. Although the Emir can veto these motions, the parliament can override the vetoes with a two-thirds majority vote according to the constitution. However, fundamentally resolving the structural contradictions between the parliament and the government remains challenging and may even impact the Emir's credibility.

On February 15, the Kuwaiti Cabinet Committee condemned "inappropriate" and "offensive" remarks made during a parliamentary session on February 7, subsequently requesting that the Emir dissolve the parliament. Mishal then signed the Emiri Decree, agreeing to the Cabinet Committee's request and calling for new National Assembly elections within 60 days in accordance with the constitution.

The current Emir is determined to resolve the "government-parliament conflict." Dissolution of the parliament has become a recurrent measure, underscoring the challenges faced in maintaining stability and transitioning from oil dependency to economic diversification.

The frequent elections have also imposed economic pressure on candidates. A Kuwaiti who had participated in previous elections and asked not to be named told CGTN that campaign costs for all candidates in past elections exceeded 150,000 Kuwaiti dinars (approximately $487,977), with some candidates in highly contested constituencies spending up to a million dollars. Given the high cost, ordinary people find competing with financially powerful opponents increasingly challenging.

In December 2023, upon assuming the throne as the country's 17th head of state, Emir Mishaal criticized both the parliament and the cabinet for damaging national interests, stating that they had failed to fulfill their "national duties." Kuwait University professor Badr Sayyaf referred to it as "one of the strongest and most significant speeches by a newly appointed ruler," with clear condemnation of the government and parliament, which is unprecedented.

Despite Kuwait's active political life, prolonged discord between the legislative and executive branches has, to some extent, deprived Kuwait of the institutional stability needed to transition from oil dependence to economic diversification.

Supervisor: Mu Li

Producer: Li Chao

Reporters: Zhang Zhuoya, Wang Xuejing