KUWAIT: The National Assembly saw several laws approved and interpellations against members of the Cabinet. The 15th legislative term concluded this year, paving the way to the 2020 elections and the opening of the 16th legislative term. Those are the major events and that happened in parliament this year:

Jan 7: National Assembly refused the lifting of immunity of MP Riyadh Al-Adsani on the backdrop of an electronic media case.
Jan 22: National Assembly approved a memorandum between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia concerning the neutral zone and nearby submerged area.

Jan 30: Minister of Social Affairs Dr Ghadeer Al-Aseeri submitted resignation after MP Dr Adel Al-Dhamki grilling motion.
Feb 18: Finance Minister Mubarak Al-Sheetan and Minister of Electricity and Water Mohammad Busheri swore constitutional oath at the National Assembly.
Feb 19: The National Assembly approved a draft law connected with monetary policy, the Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK), and the banking jobs. The draft aimed at forming a supreme overseeing authority on a legal level.

June 16: Finance Minister Barrak Al-Sheetan was grilled according to a motion filed by MP Riad Al-Adsani on June 4. The interpellation ended without recommendations or proposals.
June 16: Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Saud Al-Harbi was grilled according to a motion submitted by MP Faisal Al-Kandari on May 13. The interpellation concluded with a number of recommendations.

June 17: The National Assembly agreed to delay payment of due installments of defaulters fund for six months as of the first due payment in April 2020.
June 17: The National Assembly agreed to amend the law of the Public Institution For Social Security (PIFSS) to lower retirees' monthly pensions from 25 percent to 15 percent.
June 17: The National Assembly approved a bill allowing individuals and companies to solicit permits online.

June 17: The National Assembly agreed to modify some provisions of the commercial and civil lawsuits' law for setting up a system where judges and public prosecution personnel can be indicted.
June 17: The National Assembly approved a bill amending some provisions of criminal proceedings allowing petitions against final verdicts in some cases.
June 17: The parliament nodded bills to amend the decree-into-law regarding commercial and civil lawsuits in relation to digital advertisements.

Aug 5: The National Assembly approved a law stipulating stricter safety precautions against fires.
Aug 5: The parliament blessed bills for property rents protecting tenants' rights against evacuation.
Aug 5: The National Assembly approved bills concerning the right to have access to information to boost transparency and integrity in economic and administrative transactions.

Aug 12: The National Assembly renewed confidence in Finance Minister Barrak Al-Sheetan with 32 votes in favor in the interpellation spearheaded by MP Riad Al-Adsani. Ten MPs proposed no confidence.
Aug 19: The parliament approved a bill stipulating that employees in the private sector are entitled for end of service compensation based on the full salary.
Aug 19: The National Assembly passed a law regarding domestic violence.

Oct 7: The National Assembly blessed a bill for protecting competition, in tandem with rapid developments in this respect, globally and regionally.
Oct 7: The National Assembly approved a bill with respect to practicing medicine, back-up professions, patients' rights and health facilities, with aim of promoting the level of the medical services.
Oct 7: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem declared voting on a non-cooperation motion submitted by ten MPs against His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah would not be held during a parliamentary session after these legislators withdrew it.

Oct 7: The National Assembly approved a bill specifying financial allocations for the 'Head of State' and referred it to the Cabinet. It stipulated that these allotments would be projected in the state budget, along with specifying terms for payments to members of the ruling family, ways of their specification and disbursement, in line with an Amiri Order.
Oct 8: The National Assembly unanimously declared allegiance to His Highness Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah as Crown Prince.

Oct 8: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem declared the conclusion of the National Assembly's fourth regular session of the 15th legislative term and said the parliament would re-convene on October 20.
Oct 20: The National Assembly endorsed a bill amending the law of special needs' citizens, stipulating continuous care for this segment and those caring for them as well as securing all comfort accommodations in an equal manner with other members of society.

Oct 20: The National Assembly approved a bill for regulating the demographic status, tackling defects, specifying proportions of persons of various countries that are allowed to be present in the country in a manner that would not overburden economic, social, and services sectors.
Oct 20: National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanem wrapped up the fifth follow-up regular session of the 15th legislative term.

Nov 4: Nomination for parliamentary elections for the 16th legislative term closed with tally of candidates standing at 395, including 362 males and 33 females. Registration for the candidates kicked off on October 26.
Dec 5: Polling stations opened for 567,694 eligible voters to elect 50 MPs for the 16th legislative term of parliament.

Dec 15: National Assembly elected Marzouq Al-Ghanem as speaker of parliament during the opening session of the 16th legislative term. Eight individuals held the title since the first legislative term in 1963.
Dec 15: National Assembly elected MP Ahmad Al-Shuhomi as Deputy Speaker of parliament during the opening session of the 16th legislative term.

Dec 15: National Assembly elected MP Osama Al-Shaheen as observer of parliament during the opening session of the 16th legislative term. National Assembly elected MP Farz Al-Daihani as secretary of parliament during the opening session of the 16th legislative term. - KUNA