Kuwait City: Kuwait’s emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah on Wednesday reappointed the outgoing prime minister to form a new cabinet, following polls in which the opposition made a strong showing.
Shaikh Jaber Mubarak Al Sabah, a senior member of the ruling Al Sabah family, resigned on Monday as required by the constitution after Saturday’s snap polls.
He should form the cabinet before December 11, when the new parliament is due to hold its inaugural session.
The reappointment of Shaikh Jaber, 73, came despite calls by a number of opposition lawmakers to select a new premier to reflect the election results.
Under Kuwait’s constitution, the emir has the sole power to appoint the premier regardless of the outcome of polls as it does not apply a full Western-style multiparty system.
The official KUNA agency said the emir issued a decree reappointing Shaikh Jaber after consultations with former premiers and ex-parliament speaker Marzouk Al Ganem.
Analysts expect the new parliament to have strained relations with the government.
