On Tuesday, the Kuwaiti state’s news agency reported that Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued a decree forming a new government. Looking at the new government, it is seen that Oil Minister Mohammad Abdulatif al-Fares, Finance Minister Khalifa Hamade and Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmad Nasser al-Sabah secured their seats. Also, two new posts were formed: a Ministry of State for Promoting Integrity Affairs, which would be responsible for combating corruption, and a Ministry of State for Communications and Information Technology, dealing with IT, cybersecurity & e-governance.
After resigning in January, the previous government maintained its tasks until the formation of the new government. The resignations came after more than half of the parliament members in the 50-seat assembly attempted to interpellate for Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Kahlid al-Sabah on several issues, including his choice of ministers. Following the controversy within the parliament, the Emir of Kuwait passed a decree suspending parliamentary sessions for a month, starting on February 18.
Having relatively the most vivid political life in the Gulf region, Kuwait has been experiencing ongoing political conflicts between the government and parliament members. Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf took office amid this turmoil after former Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah died, aged 91. After he assumed power, he faced his first political test with the parliamentary elections held on December 5. In this, Kuwaiti opposition figures strengthened their position in the parliament.
In the statement, Emir Sheikh Nawaf highlighted the need for concerted and unified efforts within the parliamentary for combating administrative and financial corruption.
