Debate is healthy, but not discord

The ongoing debate in Kuwait on the country's democratic process is healthy and should be encouraged as people with various views and positions get the opportunity to address their concerns and their hopes for the future.

But what is more important is that the democratic process now needs to be pushed ahead so that the milestones of the past are not lost.

Kuwaitis for some time now have been deeply involved in a heated internal debate on where exactly the nation's democratic practice is heading. This discussion perhaps has been heightened recently as a result of the clash between the government and illegal tribal primaries.

The government's crackdown has received much criticism within the society for the simple fact that it was excessive and extreme. It was only a few days ago that a third of such confrontations took place once again.

Kuwait has a well-established heritage in forming the basic foundations of a democratic practice since 1962 - one that has been initiated well ahead of other countries of the region.

The recent head-on disagreements, which have been escalating, endanger what the Kuwaiti democratic movement has achieved thus far, which should never be allowed to go astray at any cost.