Kuwait held national elections for the fourth time in as many years as the oil-rich country attempts to break out of its longstanding political gridlock. The elected assembly in Kuwait holds more power than most in the Arab world, but has traditionally been at odds with the government, which is appointed by the royal family. This round of elections is the first since Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Jaber, 83, assumed power following the death of his half-brother in December. The new emir dissolved parliament in February after a lawmaker reportedly insulted him. Voters will choose from 200 candidates to fill 50 seats in the assembly, as there are no political parties in Kuwait.
Domestic political disputes have plagued Kuwait for years, with issues including changes to the welfare system preventing the sheikhdom from taking on debt. Despite the country’s immense wealth from its oil reserves, there is little money available in Kuwait’s coffers to pay for bloated public sector salaries. Parliament has been dissolved multiple times in the past after failing to make progress. Last year, Kuwait’s Constitutional Court annulled a decree from 2022 that overturned another annulment, leading to the late emir annulling the parliament again and holding a new election last summer, which was subsequently annulled as well in February.
Kuwait, with a population of approximately 4.2 million people and slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey, is home to the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves. The country has been a steadfast ally of the United States since the 1991 Gulf War that ousted Iraqi forces from Saddam Hussein. Kuwait hosts around 13,500 American troops and the forward headquarters of the U.S. Army in the Middle East. Despite being a close U.S. ally, Kuwait is unique among Gulf Arab countries for having a democratically elected parliament that has some power to check the ruling family, although the government is still appointed by the royal family and can dissolve the assembly as needed.
The challenges facing Kuwait’s political system highlight the ongoing struggle between the elected assembly and the ruling family. The disagreements over political issues, including changes to the welfare system, have hindered progress and led to repeated dissolutions of parliament. These political disputes have left Kuwait in a difficult financial situation, with limited resources available to fund public sector salaries despite the country’s vast oil wealth. The recent elections are seen as an opportunity for Kuwait to attempt to move past its political gridlock and work towards addressing these challenges.
The holding of elections in Kuwait amidst ongoing political unrest highlights the country’s efforts to navigate its unique political landscape. With no political parties in Kuwait, voters are tasked with choosing from a large pool of independent candidates to fill the 50 seats in the assembly. The political dynamics in Kuwait are further complicated by the power struggles between the elected assembly and the ruling family, as well as ongoing disputes over key policy issues. The outcome of the elections will likely have significant implications for Kuwait’s future political direction and its ability to address pressing economic challenges.
As Kuwait continues to grapple with political gridlock and economic challenges, the country’s efforts to hold regular elections reflect its commitment to democratic processes within the confines of its unique political system. The ongoing power struggles between the elected assembly and the ruling family, as well as disputes over key policy issues, underscore the complex dynamics at play in Kuwaiti politics. The recent elections mark an important opportunity for Kuwait to address pressing economic issues and move towards greater stability and progress in the future.
