By Ibrahim Khazin
KUWAIT (AA) - The Kuwaiti government submitted a resignation letter Saturday to Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, following the announcement of the results of parliamentary elections, according to a government statement.
The statement followed an extraordinary meeting that praised the elections -- the first under the reign of Sheikh Meshal after he assumed power in December.
The elections recorded a 62% turnout, according to the Ministry of Information. One woman won a seat out of 50 deputies in parliament, while Marzouq Al-Ghanim and Ahmed Al-Sadoun, former heads of the parliament, retained their seats, as reported by official Kuwaiti media Friday.
“The cabinet, during its extraordinary session held on Saturday at Bayan Palace under the chairmanship of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, approved a bill calling upon the National Assembly to hold the first regular session of the 18th legislative term on April 17 (Wednesday),” according to a statement. “In accordance with Article 57 of the constitution,” the government submitted its resignation to the emir.
Article 57 stipulates the formation of a new Cabinet at the beginning of each legislative term of the National Assembly. The current government has to submit its resignation before the legislature's inauguration.
Sheikh Mohammed was appointed prime minister Jan. 4, as the head of the first government formed under the reign of Sheikh Meshal.
On Feb. 15, the emir issued a decree dissolving the National Assembly, which was elected in June 2023, through a decree, citing the parliament’s violation of the Constitution.
“The decree, which cited article 107 of the constitution, said the National Assembly had violated the constitution within the context of using improper terms in addressing His Highness the Amir,” according to reports.
The National Assembly 2024 elections are the 21st parliamentary elections in Kuwaiti history.
Tension often prevails between the government and the National Assembly in Kuwait, leading to the government's resignation or dismissal on several occasions, following repeated interrogations by deputies, in addition to multiple dissolutions of the Assembly.
*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala