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| Kuwait Royalty and Government |
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Kuwait Royalty
The Al Sabah are the royal family of Kuwait and have ruled the country without interruption since 1752 when Sheikh Sabah I was chosen to be the Emir. All of Kuwait's subsequent rulers come from the Al Sabah line and are descended from Sheikh Sabah I.
The Emir of Kuwait is head of the executive branch of the Kuwaiti government, and is chosen by a family council headed by the most senior members of the Al Sabah. The dynasty is not strictly hereditary; instead, the person thought to be the most fitting is chosen from the succeeding generation to become Emir, although it is very common for a son to succeed his father as ruler.
Most ministerial positions are held by members of the Al Sabah family.
Who's Who
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THE EMIR
Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah more is Kuwait's 15th Emir and was unanimously elected as ruler in January 2006 after Sheikh Sa'ad Al Abdullah Al Salem Al Sabah abdicated for health reasons. Sheikh Sabah previously held the position of Prime Minister and spent a remarkable 40 years as Minister of Foreign Affairs. As Emir, he is the Head of the State of Kuwait and his powers are defined by the 1962 Constitution which states that the Emir's person is immune and inviolable. These powers are particularly extensive and include appointing the Prime Minister and Crown Prince, promulgating laws, dissolving Parliament, referring bills back to Parliament for reconsideration and appointing military officers. |
THE PRIME MINISTER
On 7th February 2006, Sheikh Sabah appointed his nephew Sheikh Nasser Al Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah as Prime Minister. Sheikh Nasser was born in 1940 and has considerable political experience and acumen, having held many key ministerial positions within Kuwait in addition to representing his country in the international arena. He graduated from the University of Geneva, Switzerland with a BA in Political Science and Economics, and before becoming Prime Minister, served as the State of Kuwait's Ambassador to Iran and Afghanistan. He has also been Minister of Information, Minister of Social Affairs and Labour, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Diwan Amiri. He is fluent in Arabic, French, English and Persian.
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THE CROWN PRINCE
Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah was born in 1937 and is the Crown Prince and the half-brother of the His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah. In nominating Sheikh Nawaf to the position of Crown Prince on 7th February 2006, Sheikh Sabah went against the Al Sabah family tradition in which the Emir and Crown Prince alternate between the Al Salem and Al Sabah branches. Nevertheless, Sheikh Nawaf has played a major role in the development of Kuwait and has earned a well-deserved reputation for insight, political wisdom and social progress. He has had extensive experience in many areas of Kuwaiti politics. His previous posts include Governor of Hawalli, Minister of Defence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. From 2003 until he became Crown Prince in 2006, Sheikh Nasser was Kuwait's Prime Minister. He has four sons and one daughter and enjoys horse-riding in his free time.
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The National Assembly
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ELECTIONS IN KUWAIT
In 1921, Kuwait held its first 'modern' elections. They were held again in 1938, first in June and then in December, for the majlis al-tashri'i, or Legislative Council. However, a year later the Emir dissolved the Council. After Independence in 1961, elections were held in 1962 to elect 20 members to the National Assembly.
The 1962 constitution calls for elections to be held every our years (or earlier if the Emir dissolves Parliament). Kuwait's first National Assembly was elected in 1963, and again in 1967, 1971 and 1975. In 1976, the Emir suspended Parliament. New elections were held five years later and in 1985, but in 1986, Sheikh Jaber the then Emir dissolved Parliament. Following protests, the government held elections for an unconstitutional majlis al-watani in 1990, just before the Iraqi invasion. Most Kuwaitis rejected this majlis: organized political groups, boycotted the elections and hardly any candidates ran - most of these were from Bedouin areas.
However, fulfilling a promise he had made whilst exiled in Saudi Arabia during the Iraqi occupation, Sheikh Jaber held new elections for the National Assembly in 1992. Elections were held again in 1996, 1999 and in 2003.
The most recent elections in Kuwait were held on 29th June 2006. Kuwait has adult universal suffrage for Kuwaiti citizens who are over 21 years of age with the exception of those who are in the armed forces and those who have been naturalised for less than 30 years. On 16th May 2005, the National Assembly voted in favour of extending suffrage to women, subject to Islamic law. This made the 2006 election the first time women had voted in a general election in Kuwait's history. It was the first general election in which Kuwaiti women could vote.Over 340,000 Kuwaitis, including around 195,000 women, were eligible to vote for 253 candidates, including 28 women but the female candidates failed to win a seat.
Official political parties are illegal in Kuwait, but broad alliances exist within the National Assembly.
Elections in Kuwait meet a high standard of fairness and the ballot is counted in secret without Government intervention. The media in Kuwait, particularly Arabic newspapers, scrutinise the election process closely. Kuwait's small size makes it easier for voters to meet face-to-face with candidates to discuss issues. During the run-up to election day, it's common to see huge tents set up to hold political meetings and rallies in. However, in recent years, there have been allegations ofthe overall effect of this alleged practice is to benefit government candiates.
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THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Kuwait's National Assembly or Majlis Al Umma which means 'House of the Nation' in Arabic is the country's legislature. It powers are largely controlled by the Prime Minister, a position which can only be held by an Al Sabah. Its current speaker is Jassim Al Kharafi , a member of the extremely wealthy and influential Al Kharafi family.
Elections for the 50-seat assembly are held every four years. There are 25 electoral districts, although the government has been under pressure to reduce the number of these districts to 5 or even 10. It's hoped that if this is implemented, the potential for vote-buying would be reduced and the tribal, sectarian and familial ties that are so prevalent would be minimised during the election process.
Candidates for the National Assembly must be Kuwaiti nationals and must be over 30 years old.
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Under the 1961 Constitution, all members of the assembly have the right to initiate bills, however, a bill can only become law after it is first passed in the National Assembly, then sanctioned by the Emir and finally published and promulgated in the official gazette. Lively, often heated, debates take place in the National Assembly where members discuss a range of topics of importance to Kuwait. They also have the power to call ministers to account and can force a minister to resign if a vote of no-confidence is won. Although it is against the law to call for the resignation of the Prime Minister, members can decide not to cooperate with the Prime Minister which can lead to the Emir deciding to relieve the incumbent of his position, dissolve Parliament or call for fresh elections. They also have the right to set up ad-hoc committees and approve the state budget. |
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Kuwait's Recent Elections
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Last summer, Kuwaiti citizens took to the polls. For the first time in Kuwait's history, women were allowed to vote and some even ran as parliamentary candidates. Although none were voted in, it was still a groundbreaking event in the country's democratic and political development.
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Election Results for the National Assembly, June 2006 |
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Seats |
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Islamic Bloc (Sunni) |
17 |
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Popular Bloc |
9 |
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National Action Bloc (liberals) |
8 |
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Independents (mostly pro-government) |
16 |
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Total turnout (80%) |
50 |
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Source: Kuwait Politics Database |
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