The Kuwaiti constitutional court, on Sunday (March 19), nullified the parliamentary elections held in September 2022 and ruled in favour of reinstating the previous parliament, said the state media. Last year’s legislative elections are said to be the most inclusive one in the past decade or so. The elections were marked by the opposition making significant gains and clinching the parliamentary majority.

“The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a verdict on Sunday, annulling the results of the 2022 National Assembly elections,”&nbsp;reported the official KUNA news agency, as per AFP. The verdict was given while citing discrepancies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, said the state media report.&nbsp;

The court also ruled to reinstate the parliament that was elected in 2020 but had to be dissolved following orders by the crown prince in June.

“The constitutional authority of the dissolved parliament shall be restored as of the date of this ruling,” said Justice Mohammad bin Naji on Sunday. The country, which is also an OPEC oil producer and one of the world's biggest oil exporters, has banned political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies.

Kuwait’s crown prince had dissolved the parliament last year and called for an early election in a bid to end the prolonged domestic political feuding which was hindering fiscal reforms in the oil-rich Gulf state.&nbsp; 
 
Among all the Gulf Arab states, Kuwait has the freest and most active assembly but political power is largely concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, which appoints the prime minister and cabinet, and can dissolve the assembly at any time. 
 
The most inclusive voting last year also led to the opposition members, many of whom had previously opted out of polls for a decade or so over alleged meddling by the executive authorities over parliament, getting elected. Out of the 50 seats in the Kuwaiti parliament, 28 were won by opposition members in the election as&nbsp;voters sent conservative Islamist figures and two women to the assembly. The election results were seen as a mandate for change amid a prolonged period of gridlock between the Cabinet and the 50-member assembly. 
 
Notably, while Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab state with a fully elected parliament, political stability in the country has typically depended on cooperation between the government and parliament. However, the country has also witnessed repeated political crises which have led to the paralysing of the state and disputes with the cabinet.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
&nbsp;

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The Kuwaiti constitutional court, on Sunday (March 19), nullified the parliamentary elections held in September 2022 and ruled in favour of reinstating the previous parliament, said the state media.

The Kuwaiti constitutional court, on Sunday (March 19), nullified the parliamentary elections held in September 2022 and ruled in favour of reinstating the previous parliament, said the state media. Last year’s legislative elections are said to be the most inclusive one in the past decade or so. The elections were marked by the opposition making significant gains and clinching the parliamentary majority. “The Kuwaiti Constitutional Court issued a verdict on Sunday, annulling the results of the 2022 National Assembly elections,” reported the official KUNA news agency, as per AFP. The verdict was given while citing discrepancies in the decree dissolving the previous parliament, said the state media report. The court also ruled to reinstate the parliament that was elected in 2020 but had to be dissolved following orders by the crown prince in June. “The constitutional authority of the dissolved parliament shall be restored as of the date of this ruling,” said Justice Mohammad bin Naji on Sunday. The country, which is also an OPEC oil producer and one of the world's biggest oil exporters, has banned political parties but has given its legislature more influence than similar bodies in other Gulf monarchies. Kuwait’s crown prince had dissolved the parliament last year and called for an early election in a bid to end the prolonged domestic political feuding which was hindering fiscal reforms in the oil-rich Gulf state. Among all the Gulf Arab states, Kuwait has the freest and most active assembly but political power is largely concentrated in the hands of the ruling Al Sabah family, which appoints the prime minister and cabinet, and can dissolve the assembly at any time. The most inclusive voting last year also led to the opposition members, many of whom had previously opted out of polls for a decade or so over alleged meddling by the executive authorities over parliament, getting elected. Out of the 50 seats in the Kuwaiti parliament, 28 were won by opposition members in the election as voters sent conservative Islamist figures and two women to the assembly. The election results were seen as a mandate for change amid a prolonged period of gridlock between the Cabinet and the 50-member assembly. Notably, while Kuwait is the only Gulf Arab state with a fully elected parliament, political stability in the country has typically depended on cooperation between the government and parliament. However, the country has also witnessed repeated political crises which have led to the paralysing of the state and disputes with the cabinet. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Kuwait court nullifies 2022 elections, reinstates previous parliament

Kuwait's new Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah took the oath of office in parliament on Thursday, pledging the Gulf Arab state's commitment to democracy and peace and calling on&nbsp;Kuwaitis to shun divisions.

Sheikh Meshal, 80, a long-serving top security official, was unanimously endorsed the octogenarian Sheikh Meshal for the role in what has been a smooth succession that retained power firmly within the ruling family's oldest ranks following last week's death of Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad.

New ruler Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad, 83, assumed power last Wednesday in the US-allied OPEC member state as it faces a liquidity crunch caused by low oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic against the backdrop of continued tensions between larger neighbours Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kuwait-swears-in-new-emir-after-death-of-ruler-331402">Kuwait swears in new emir after death of ruler</a>

Sheik Meshal, in televised remarks, said&nbsp;Kuwait&nbsp;would uphold its regional and international commitments and "its path of peace and democratic approach."

"He pledged to "raise the banner of popular participation and promote a tolerant spirit that shuns division."

Diplomats and analysts say that because of his low-key style and age, Emir Sheikh Nawaf may delegate a larger portion of responsibilities to Sheikh Meshal, a forceful figure who had been deputy head of the National Guard since 2004 and before that headed State Security for 13 years, shunning public-facing roles.

Sheik Meshal's rise stands in contrast to some other Gulf states, most notably Saudi Arabia, where ruling families are starting to give top jobs to younger princes. Sheik Nawaf and Sheikh Meshal, both brothers of the late ruler, are expected to focus on domestic issues as the country prepares for parliamentary elections this year and the government tries to shore up its finances.

Frequent clashes between the hand-picked cabinet, in which ruling family members hold most senior posts, and the assembly have led to successive government reshuffles and dissolution of parliament, hindering investment and economic reforms.

The new leaders are expected to uphold oil policy and a foreign policy shaped by Sheikh Sabah that strove for unity in a polarised region and balanced ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran and former occupier Iraq.

Kuwait's new Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah took the oath of office in parliament on Thursday, pledging the Gulf Arab state's commitment to democracy and peace and calling on Kuwaitis to shun divisions.

Kuwait's new Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah took the oath of office in parliament on Thursday, pledging the Gulf Arab state's commitment to democracy and peace and calling on Kuwaitis to shun divisions. Sheikh Meshal, 80, a long-serving top security official, was unanimously endorsed the octogenarian Sheikh Meshal for the role in what has been a smooth succession that retained power firmly within the ruling family's oldest ranks following last week's death of Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad. New ruler Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad, 83, assumed power last Wednesday in the US-allied OPEC member state as it faces a liquidity crunch caused by low oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic against the backdrop of continued tensions between larger neighbours Saudi Arabia and Iran. Also read: Kuwait swears in new emir after death of ruler Sheik Meshal, in televised remarks, said Kuwait would uphold its regional and international commitments and "its path of peace and democratic approach." "He pledged to "raise the banner of popular participation and promote a tolerant spirit that shuns division." Diplomats and analysts say that because of his low-key style and age, Emir Sheikh Nawaf may delegate a larger portion of responsibilities to Sheikh Meshal, a forceful figure who had been deputy head of the National Guard since 2004 and before that headed State Security for 13 years, shunning public-facing roles. Sheik Meshal's rise stands in contrast to some other Gulf states, most notably Saudi Arabia, where ruling families are starting to give top jobs to younger princes. Sheik Nawaf and Sheikh Meshal, both brothers of the late ruler, are expected to focus on domestic issues as the country prepares for parliamentary elections this year and the government tries to shore up its finances. Frequent clashes between the hand-picked cabinet, in which ruling family members hold most senior posts, and the assembly have led to successive government reshuffles and dissolution of parliament, hindering investment and economic reforms. The new leaders are expected to uphold oil policy and a foreign policy shaped by Sheikh Sabah that strove for unity in a polarised region and balanced ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran and former occupier Iraq.

Kuwait's new crown prince sworn in at parliament; pledges commitment to democracy and peace

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Kuwait court nullifies 2022 elections, reinstates previous parliament

Kuwait's new crown prince sworn in at parliament; pledges commitment to democracy and peace