KUWAIT:
High-ranking official sources strongly denied what it described as rumors
regarding intentions to dissolve the parliament and call for early
parliamentary elections, or dismiss the cabinet and appoint a new one.
“Those are mere illogical and unjustified analytical reports,” the
sources stressed. The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, also
denied allegations about disagreements amongst Cabinet members, or that each
minister operates in isolation.
“Such speculations are always repeated at the beginning of every
parliamentary term, which mostly reflect the wish of some lawmakers or
activists to run for the following parliamentary elections,” the sources
explained, noting that the government would not hesitate to resign from office
if such scenario became necessary “because all ministers work for Kuwait’s
grater good.”
The government has so far been very cooperative with lawmakers and attended
various committee meetings to discuss various bills, the sources added.
“The current parliament’s tenure still has one term to be launched on
October 29, 2019 and ends on June 30, 2020, which is a very short period that
requires full cooperation to pass various bills and priorities,” the
sources added, noting that early elections and a new Cabinet would delay
passing those bills, namely economic ones.
Commenting on a grilling motion MP Mohammad Hayef filed yesterday against
Finance Minister Nayef Al-Hajraf, as well as expectations that more
interpellation requests could be filed before the new term’s inaugural session,
the sources said that in that case, the government is likely to request
debating all grilling motions during the same session – a tactic that could
“confuse lawmakers.”
The government will also assess the situation after the finance minister
grilling’s debate, said the sources, noting that if it was deemed necessary, a
‘limited reshuffle’ that sees Hajraf replaced with Minister of Commerce and
Industry Khaled Al-Roudhan could be made, especially considering that Hajraf is
expected to face more grilling motions even in case he survives the debate of
his upcoming interpellation.
By A Saleh
