|
Kuwait City: The Kuwaiti cabinet resigned on Monday alleging that the opposition-dominated parliament refused to cooperate, in the latest political crisis to hit the country.
The move raised the prospects of a new dissolution of parliament and early elections, amid rising sectarian tensions and non-stop confrontations between MPs and the government.
Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Mohammad Al Sabah, a nephew of the emir, handed the letter of resignation to the Deputy Emir and Crown Prince Shaikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, as the ruler is out of the country.
During the weekly cabinet meeting, First Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Shaikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah earlier tendered the resignation of cabinet ministers en masse to the prime minister, citing non-cooperation from MPs.
"It is regrettable that we have been confronted with obstructive positions and practices" from MPs, the defence minister said in the letter, which was made public.
Shaikh Jaber added that MPs "have refused to respond positively to the extended hand of government and its appeals for a constructive cooperation.
"Our political scene has lately witnessed events that undermine our national unity, in addition to confrontations, crises and violations of parliamentary norms," he said in a clear reference to sectarian tensions.
Kuwait has been experiencing sectarian tensions after activists from the Shiite minority held a rally last month to mourn former Lebanese Hezbollah commander Emad Mughnieh.
On the economic front, parliament was due to vote today on a law to increase salaries for Kuwaiti citizens by an extra 50 dinars (Dh680) a month despite strong opposition by the government.
The government last month already raised the salaries of citizens by 120 dinars (Dh1,632), but that increase was seen as inadequate by a majority of MPs.
What next?
The Emir would either:
- Accept the Cabinet resignation and ask the current Prime Minister to form a new government or appoint new prime minister to lead a new cabinet.
- Or dissolve the parliament and order new elections in 60 days according to the constitution.
Chronic standoffs
The Kuwaiti parliament and government have constantly been at odds. Political tensions has led to the dissolution of parliament four times in the past, the last instance in 2006.
- The National Assembly has been insisting on a pay hike for civil servants even though a generous salary increase has been given by the Cabinet already. The Cabinet says lawmakers are "interfering" in the work of government ministers.
- On March 4, Cabinet members stormed out of a parliamentary session in protest, saying generous salaries were already eating up half the state budget of the country.
- Repeated grilling in the house of Cabinet members has led to many resignations in recent years, the last of Bader Meshari Al Humaidhi, the oil minister, in November, a week after being appointed to his position.
- The move comes also amid growing sectarian tension, prompted by a eulogy for the slain Hezbollah commander Emad Mughnieh delivered by two Shiite lawmakers here. State prosecutors have asked parliament lift immunity of the two MPs so that they could be questioned over the eulogy.
- Independent MP Ahmad Al Mulaifi last week demanded the prime minister be fired and early elections held. He claimed Shaikh Nasser has failed to produce a clear plan for the country's economic development.
- AP, Gulf News
|
