KUWAIT CITY, March 20: The political arena is highly charged with both the government and Parliament working overtime to win the favors of some lawmakers who can tilt the balance by voting for or against the Minister of Information and Oil Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah during the no-confidence motion scheduled to be held on March 25.
The government will crystallize its agenda during its regular meeting on Sunday, say sources, noting the government is happy with the number of lawmakers supporting Sheikh Al-Abdullah and will attend the session regardless of the outcome of the motion. It is reportedly trying to convince MPs Saadoun Hammad, Saad Al-Khanfour and Ghanim Al-Mae’a to switch sides and support the minister. Sources say these MPs may either vote in favor of the minister or might abstain.
Moreover, sources say, Shiite MPs received assurances from HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah that members of their sect will be appointed at senior levels in the government, including at the ranks of assistant undersecretaries and other leadership positions. Sources say the government is trying to ‘win’ the grilling, in order to prevent similar occurrences.
Reportedly, the government even agreed to lawmakers’ demands to make some amendments to the proposed Needy Citizens Fund as part of the ‘deal.’
Meanwhile, members of the Popular Labor Bloc are meeting some MPs who haven’t announced their stance on the issue yet, in order to convince them to vote against the minister, reports Al-Anba daily.
Sources say the bloc will organize public seminars in the Fifth and Fourth constituencies to drum local support and pressurize some MPs to vote against the minister. There are indications that three members of the bloc will vote as per their wish, meaning they will vote for Sheikh Ahmad in defiance of the bloc.
Meanwhile, MP Dr Salwa Al-Jassar has requested a special session to discuss the current state of education in the country by the beginning of April, reports Al-Seyassah daily.
Al-Jassar asked the Parliamentary Priority Committee to review the priorities for successful implementation of the development plan and prioritize laws to expedite implementation of the projects. She stressed the need to reinvigorate the decision-making process by listing hindrances and challenges that are likely to delay the development plan. She added, “The government promised to forward reports every three months to concerned parliamentary committees to activate qualitative monitoring and follow-up, so the Parliament can study hindrances therein.”