Kuwait's political progress

Fourteen months ago I wrote an article titled "False malaise of Kuwait's politics", following the suspension of the 11th Kuwaiti Parliament. A year ago, I summed up the election results for the 12th Kuwaiti Parliament in an article titled "Kuwaiti democracy produces more of the same". In it, I argued that over the past 50 years Kuwait has been a shining example of a tiny entity that harnesses its oil wealth to survive in a hostile environment, and uses its wealth to benefit both its own, small population and - through developments projects - those of less fortunate countries. I concluded that, "In the final analysis, the false malaise should not be exaggerated. Moreover, the negative image that some Kuwaitis and other Gulf and Arab intellectuals have of Kuwaiti representative politics should not take away from its pioneering achievements".

Since then, there have been the usual ups and downs in Kuwaiti politics. While there has been continued confrontation, bickering and animosity between the two main political branches, the legislature and the executive, there has also been great hope and elation over the election of four women, the retreat of organised political groups and the emergence of a calmer parliament, with exuberance and optimism replacing pessimism in the country.

The Emir suspended the Kuwaiti Parliament in last March, to put an end to confrontations that had seen four interpolations tabled against Prime Minister Shaikh Nasser Mohammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah. The prime minister had formed five Cabinets, but each had been unable to stave off constant challenges from the parliament. His last Cabinet was the shortest lived, lasting only 64 days.

Twice in a year, Kuwaitis went to the polls to elect two new parliaments in a gloomy and sombre atmosphere as a result of continuous bickering and acrimony between the two branches of the Kuwaiti political system. Such tense relations resulted in a record number of interpolations against the prime minister and his ministers. This also led to a record number of ministerial resignations, which have paralysed Kuwaiti politics since 2006.

This bitter reality has cast a long shadow of doubt and raised legitimate questions about the future of Kuwait's once admired, vibrant and inspiring democratic experience. Kuwaitis have reached a boiling point of disappointment and despair over the continuous bickering, which has sapped their energy and was reflected in the low voter turnout of 58 per cent.

Thankfully, Kuwaitis have voted for change, electing four women and 17 other new members of parliament. More than 40 per cent of those elected have not previously served in the parliament. The voters punished various organised political parties, Islamists and liberals alike. But Kuwaiti voters returned most of the outspoken and hawkish members, who are blamed for the showdown with the government, thereby setting the stage for yet another fiery confrontation after the return of Shaikh Nasser, who is in the process of forming his sixth Cabinet.

But the election of four women stole the show and summed up the change sought by Kuwaiti voters. Their victory represents a major leap for Kuwaiti democracy and a crowning achievement for the country's women, who have struggled for five decades for political recognition. The ripple effect in the region and beyond could be enormous.

What made the achievement more special was that all four women were independent candidates. Women in the region generally make it in politics through some form of quota, because they are affiliated to dominant political parties or because of their lineage. But this was not the case here. On their way to victory, they beat veterans and established incumbents, who have been running and winning for decades.

Even US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was elated, saying "There are signs of hope and progress... the people of Kuwait elected women to their parliament for the first time in history. This did not come easily or quickly... It took a long struggle. But the election of four women this Saturday is a major step forward for Kuwait, the region, and I would argue, the world".

Now the onus is on these four women, who represent just eight per cent of the Kuwaiti parliament, to perform. They all hold doctorates from US universities and are Kuwait University professors. They will be put under tremendous pressure as freshmen legislators. Their mistakes will be exaggerated, their gaffes will be highlighted and their detractors will test them from day one. Their political acumen will be questioned and their failure could ruin the prospects of future women candidates. This seems harsh, but these ministers ran and won, and now they have to prove themselves.

Just to put things in perspective, it took women in the US more than seven decades to achieve eight per cent representation in Congress. In Kuwait, the odds stacked against women are even greater.

The challenges are enormous. The formation of the new Cabinet, its agenda and tactics and the issues that both branches of government choose to confront will determine whether or not their relationship continues to be a bitter one.

Dr Abdullah Al Shayji is a professor of International Relations and the head of the American Studies Unit at Kuwait University.