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Election Date: May 17, 2008

At stake: National Assembly

Background

Since 1937, when large oil reserves were discovered by the U.S.-British Kuwait Oil Company, the country gained prominence as a major producer. Although the start of World War II in 1939 would delay exploitation, oil production eventually allowed Kuwait to transform its infrastructure and ensure a high standard of living for its inhabitants.

Today, Kuwait is the world’s 11th-largest oil producer and holds around 8 per cent of the world’s proven reserves.

In 1961, the British protectorate ended and Kuwait became an independent state, ruled by an Emir. Two years later, elections for a National Assembly took place. The legislature would be dissolved three times—in 1976, 1986 and 1999—due to political conflicts.

During the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s, Kuwait offered strategic and financial support to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. Thousands of expatriates, many of them Iranian, were deported from Kuwait.

In July 1990, Iraq officially launched a complaint to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), accusing Kuwait of stealing Iraqi oil from a field close to the border. In August, Hussein ordered his forces to invade Kuwait and annexed it to Iraq. Emir Jaber-al Ahmed al-Sabah and his cabinet sought refuge in Saudi Arabia.

Iraq installed a provisional government in Kuwait and exploited much of its resources.

A military operation led by a coalition of Arab and Western military forces pushed Iraq out of Kuwait in February 1991, following a mandate from a United Nations (UN) resolution.

The Emir returned to Kuwait in March 1991, and instituted a three-month state of emergency. In 1994, Iraq officially acknowledged Kuwait’s independence and new borders, as demarcated by the UN.

In 1999, Emir Jaber proposed giving women the right to vote and run for office, but the bill was defeated in the Assembly.

In March 2003, thousands of Kuwaiti soldiers joined the United States-led invasion of Iraq, meant to strip Hussein of his alleged stock of weapons of mass destruction.

In July 2003, Kuwaiti voters renewed the National Assembly. Political parties are not allowed in Kuwait, but informal alliances and blocks exist within the legislative branch. Final results gave Islamists and fundamentalists 21 out of 50 seats in the Assembly. Royalists and traditionalists secured 14 seats, independent candidates got 12, and Liberals got three.

In May 2005, the Assembly approved a constitutional amendment giving women full political rights. In June, Massouma al-Mubarak became the first female cabinet minister, taking control of the planning and administrative development portfolios.

In January 2006, Emir Jaber died and was replaced by Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Ak-Sabah, his half brother and a former prime minister.

In April 2006, pro-government lawmakers attempted to refer a bill to the Constitutional Court. The proposal sought to reduce the number of constituencies in Kuwait from 25 to 10. At least 29 opposition legislators, who formed the Alliance for Change, walked out of the parliamentary session and later filed a petition questioning prime minister Nasser Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah—a first in Kuwait’s history.

The unrest forced Emir Sabah to dissolve the National Assembly and call an early election for Jun. 29. Final results gave reformist candidates 33 of the elected 50 seats in the National Assembly.

Click Here for Kuwait’s 2006 National Assembly Election Tracker 

In July 2006, the National Assembly approved the bill that reduced the number of constituencies from 25 to five.

2008 National Assembly Election

Kuwait’s government has been practically paralyzed since the last election. Bickering between cabinet ministers and lawmakers has brought the political agenda to a stalemate. Business leaders, especially those in the rich oil sector, have blamed the government of being inefficient. The important Oil Ministry has been vacant since November 2007.

On Mar. 17, the entire Kuwaiti cabinet resigned, claiming that lawmakers were making it impossible to govern for their "lack of cooperation."

On Mar. 19, Emir Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah dissolved the National Assembly and scheduled an early election for May 17.

Political Players

Emir: Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah
Prime minister: Nasser Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah

The Emir is the constitutional ruler of the country, chosen by the royal family but subject to the consent of the National Assembly. The Emir appoints the Prime Minister.

Legislative Branch: The Majlis al-Umma (National Assembly) has 50 members elected to four-year terms in double seat constituencies, as well as ministers who sit as ex-officio members.

Results of Last Election:

National Assembly - Jun. 29, 2006

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