Kuwait: 32 MPs to boycott government’s swearing-in ceremony

Kuwait City: As the new government awaits to take the constitutional oath in front of parliament on Tuesday, so far 32 MPs have announced that they will be boycotting the swearing-in session.

On Sunday, 24 MPs attended a meeting at MP Bader Al Dahoum’s office and issued a statement after the meeting stating, “32 MPs have pledged to boycott the session, now it is up to the Kuwaiti people to monitor and hold accountable those that do not fulfil their promises.”

The statement also stated that the MPs will be not attending the session due to the public’s demand, their respect for the 1962 constitution and in remembrance of the MPs that took the same position back in 1964.

According to legal professionals, only 33 members, out of the 60, need to attend for the session to move forward. The ministers make up one-third of the membership totaling 16, one of which is both an MP and an appointed minister.

While there is no unanimous reason for boycotting the session, since the parliament was formed after the December 5 general election there have been clashes between the legislative and executive branch creating a political deadlock.

Start of the clash

It all started during the opening session when Marzouq Al Ghanim was re-elected as speaker of parliament. ‘Opposition’ MPs were unhappy with the appointment and called out the government for, “not listening to the demands of the Kuwaiti people”.

A month after the opening session, a motion to interrogate the Prime Minister, Sabah Al Khaled, was filed by three MPs under a couple of clauses. A month after the opening session, a motion to interrogate the Prime Minister, Sabah Al Khaled, was filed by three MPs. One of the clauses of the motion stated that the Prime Minister failed to adhere to article 98 of the Kuwaiti Constitution which states, “upon formation, every Ministry shall submit its programme to the National Assembly and the Assembly may express whatever comments it deems appropriate thereon.”

38 MPs agreed to the interrogation, setting an unprecedented move as it was the first in time in Kuwaiti history that the majority of the MPs favoured a motion before the session even occurs.

A few days after the announcement was made, Sabah Al Khaled’s government handed in its resignation, a month after it was formed.

Heightened tensions

Parliament was unable to discuss or vote on draft laws, except in committees, because the government is required to be present. During its resignation, on February the 16 the government attended a special session at the parliament to discuss matters related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then a day after the session, the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Sabah, issued an Amiri decree and suspended parliament for one month.

During the suspension, the 38th Cabinet of Ministers was formed and Sabah Al Khaled was reappointed as Prime Minister.

Less than a week after the new government’s formation, Al Dahoum and MP Mohammed A Mutair, filed a motion to interrogate Sabah Al Khaled. The announcement came after 15 MPs, including Al Dahoum and Al Mutair, were referred by the government to the public prosecutor for violating health measures and holding a large gathering of approximately 300 people.

During a press conference, Al Dahoum stated that they were shocked when they heard they were referred to the public prosecutor pointing out that the government did not uphold its word and is selectively applying the law against only a few, while turning a blind eye to others. Al Dahoum explained they held the gathering after discussing it with the Minister of Interior, Thamer Al Sabah.

Revoked membership

Two weeks ago, Kuwait’s Constitutional Court issued a ruling that annuals membership of MP Al Dahoum on a previous case where he was charged with “insulting the Emir”. The court revoked Al Dahoum’s membership as per a 2016 law that states anyone convicted of insulting the Emir will be barred from partaking in the parliamentary elections.

The ruling against Al Dahoum will likely further fuel the divide between the legislative and executive branch, as he is a staunch critic of the government and is one of the most prominent figures of the opposition.