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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 July 1999 Issue No. 437 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 July 1999 Issue No. 437
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Focus Books Travel Living Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Wider democratic space in Kuwait
By Donald BensonHeadlines in Kuwait's newspapers Sunday trumpeted the victory of the opposition in Kuwait's election. Two main groups, the democrats and the Islamists were the main beneficiaries. Prominent pro-government MPs lost 8 seats -- they now number only 12 in the 50-seat Assembly -- while outspoken opposition candidates from all parts of the political spectrum were returned.
The two main democratic groupings -- the National Democratic Front and the Kuwait Democratic Forum -- had the most reason to celebrate having tripled their numbers to a 32 per cent share in the Assembly while the pro-Islamist groups managed to hold their own with a 35 per cent share.
The opposition, which is an alliance of different groupings, now has a 48 per cent share in the Assembly with Independents coming second with 28 per cent. Pro-government MPs have what's left. This assures the opposition of a majority and is a significant shift in the distribution of power within the parliament.
The public's wish expressed throughout the campaign for a strong National Assembly has been achieved through the ballot box: 50 per cent of the new MPs are university-educated professionals.
The old cabinet has tendered its resignation as required by the constitution and the date of the new parliamentary session has been set for 17 July. The government has cause to ask who will be its "friends" in the new Assembly.
Apart from its own supporters and a few independent candidates it could face problems. The tribal groupings -- a cohesive political force representing all shades of political opinion including the Islamist -- have been seriously upset by the government's prosecution of their members during the pre-election primaries. Accusations by the opposition of government vote buying and use of special funds for pro-government candidates have also soured the political atmosphere and undermined trust in the government's intentions.
Many among the Islamist parties also question the use by the ruler, Sheikh Jaber Ahmad Al-Sabah, of his prerogative to issue decrees when "urgent" necessity requires it. In the short two-month hiatus before the election there have been no fewer than 60 dealing with the enfranchisement of women, foreign investment, police powers, the private sector and copyright.
Voting for transparency: a glass-sided ballot box holds the key to Kuwait's future
Most, it is true, were matters unresolved from the life of the previous Assembly but are not considered to have been "urgent". These now have to be approved by the newly elected body and will only become law when passed by a two-thirds majority. New MPs complain that the government has already stolen a march on the new parliament and presented them with a legislative fait accompli. However, this seems like quibbling given that most election speeches complained of the inactivity and ineffectiveness of the previous government.
Ahmad Al-Saadoun, the ex-speaker of the assembly, notorious for his no-nonsense manner in dealing with ministers speaking out of turn during parliamentary debate, has declared his intention of scuppering any attempt by the new cabinet to force the decrees through Parliament.
Abdallah Naibari from the Kuwait Democratic Forum and survivor of a 1997 assassination attempt has, along with his party, advocated the separation of the post of prime-minister and crown-prince. This controversial proposal has attracted support from other groups which suggests that not everyone is happy with the leadership of the prime-minister.
Many are questioning the effectiveness of the present system itself. Opposition newspapers note the irony of an un-elected cabinet governing an elected Assembly that represents popular grass-roots opinion. Given that the major ministerial positions are reserved for the ruling family and given their lack of accountability to the Assembly, MPs of all parties are advocating a council of ministers composed of technocrats who will report back to the people.
This debate indicates that the political tectonic plates are shifting ever so slightly. No earthquake is expected but given the muscle of the new Assembly, the struggle between executive and legislature for more accountable government could get acrimonious.
The lacklustre performance of the previous administration has drawn fire from all sides but the consensus that has emerged regarding the issues is unlikely to lead to concerted action unless the parties agree on a programme of reform. The lack of unanimity makes the Assembly ripe for divide-and-rule tactics by the government.
One issue that has recently hit the headlines and gleaned support from all members is the embezzlement of public funds. The decision by a London court requiring two members of the ruling family, currently living in the Bahamas, to return $500 million to the government has given the opposition a moral victory -- they initiated inquiries into the matter -- and tactical advantage in dealing with any future cabinet.
Kuwaiti political commentators note that the composition of the new Parliament evokes memories of the 1985 elections when there was a similar protest vote against the government. The 1985 Assembly lasted one year and four months.
