Manama: Kuwait's government has sought to allay concerns about its ability to survive next week's no-cooperation vote, saying that it was confident most lawmakers would support it on January 5.
"The government is positive about its positions," Mohammad Al Busairi, the communication minister, said.
"Most members of the parliament will renew their confidence in His Highness the Prime Minister and his government during the January 5 session," he said ahead of the crucial vote that could mean a cabinet reshuffle or the dissolution of the parliament.
The no-cooperation vote was requested by ten opposition lawmakers following a day-long grilling of Shaikh Nasser Al Mohammad over much-mediated clashes between anti-riot police and participants at a rally on December 8.
The police said they moved in to maintain law and order and that they were taunted by participants who broke the law. However, opposition MPs rejected the claims and insisted that the rally had been peaceful until the police became abusive.
The opposition has been seeking the resignation or removal of Shaikh Nasser since last year amid seemingly irreconcilable divergences, and the clashes were an opportunity to reinvigorate their drive.
Media pressure
As public and partisan media pressure has built on Shaikh Nasser and his government to resign, several lawmakers had to deal with some of their constituents who, in rallies organised by the opposition, asked them to vote against the premier.
However, the government has refused to cave in to demands and said before the quizzing that it was ready for the grilling and now for the no-cooperation motion.
