Kuwait Holds 4th Election in 4 Years

Facts

• Kuwaiti citizens on Thursday voted in the country's first national elections under the new Emir, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, amid hopes to end a years-long gridlock between the National Assembly and the royal family.¹
• The vote — the fourth in as many years — comes after Sheikh Mishal assumed power last December following the death of his half-brother, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah.²
• In his inaugural speech, Sheikh Mishal criticized both parliament and the royal-appointed cabinet, announcing an era of 'reform.' In February, he dissolved the assembly over alleged constitutional violations, including 'offensive and inappropriate language.'³
• Though Kuwait's assembly is one of the more powerful of those elected in the Middle East, the Persian Gulf country restricts political parties and candidates from running for the assembly as independents.⁴
• There have been concerns of low voter turnout in this latest ballot, in which an estimated 835K eligible citizens chose from a selection of 200 candidates to fill 50 seats in Kuwait's National Assembly. Voter turnout in the country's last election was 51%.⁵
• Once a new government is formed, Sheikh Mishal is expected to push elected officials to pass various economic reforms, including a debt law that would allow Kuwait to access international markets and reduce its reliance on oil revenues.²

Sources: ¹Associated Press, ²US News & World Report, ³France 24, ⁴Jerusalem Post and ⁵Al Jazeera.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Kuna. Kuwait is a shining beacon of democracy that serves as an example to its neighbors in the Middle East. Kuwaiti voters are encouraged to participate actively in elections, and the country's separation of powers creates lively debate and compromise that enables optimal governance. Sheikh Mishal is a reform-oriented leader who wants to work with parliament to pass the necessary legislation that will move Kuwait forward.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by New York Times. Despite being blessed with some of the world's richest oil reserves, Kuwait can't escape political turmoil — and the socioeconomic troubles that result from such gridlock. While its National Assembly has more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies, the Sheikh still has the authority to act as an autocrat and push his agenda. After voting every year and not seeing any results, Kuwaitis are rightfully fatigued — this disenfranchisement emphasizes the decline of Kuwait's democracy.

Predictions