General Information » Economy » Government & Ruling Family

The late Emir (ruler) of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah, passed away on January 15, 2006 to the deepest sorrow of the Kuwaiti people, both locals and expats, as well as those in Kuwait’s neighbouring GCC countries. Sheikh Jaber rose to power in 1977 succeeding his cousin Sheikh Sabah Al Salim. The period of his rule was eventful to say the least, with an assassination attempt in 1985 followed by a period of rule in exile during the Iraqi occupation. More recently his rule saw the liberation of Iraq, transforming the economic conditions in the country whilst closing a difficult chapter in Kuwait’s history once and for all. Initially the Crown Prince Sheikh Sa’ad Al Abdullah Al Sabah took over as ruler, however, his questionable health lead to him abdicating and the Prime Minister, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah then became the 15th Emir of Kuwait.

Kuwait’s constitution, as a nominal constitutional monarchy, was approved in 1962 after the country gained independence from British rule. Kuwait has an elected parliament of 50 members, known as the National Assembly or Majlis Al Umma.

In practice the National Assembly has spent long periods in dissolution during this period, notably from 1986 through to the first Gulf War in 1990. As part of the negotiation to be restored to power the Emir agreed to re-instate the National Assembly, which he duly did in 1992. The National Assembly has been sitting regularly ever since, although the relationship between parliament and cabinet is often a rocky one. Notably, in 1999 the National Assembly was once again dissolved by the Emir, due to continued issues of conflict between them and the government, and therefor early elections were held.

Whilst political parties do not exist in Kuwait, the current political make-up of the National Assembly is the Islamists with 21 seats, followed by government supporters with 14 seats, independents with 12 seats and liberals with three seats.

Kuwait is divided into 25 constituencies with the top two candidates in each electorate elected to the National Assembly. Campaigning is generally conducted via the traditional meeting-place or diwaniya.

After years of campaigning, and following a narrow defeat in 1999, parliament finally passed a legal amendment in May 2005 granting Kuwaiti women the right to vote and stand in elections. The electoral law previously allowed only men to vote and run for office, but this was seen as being out of step with the country’s constitution which promotes sexual equality. The new ruling had the full backing of the Emir and the Prime Minister, although it was opposed by more conserv...