KUWAIT CITY, Nov 13: Blood started flowing again into the arteries of the executive and the legislative authorities upon the return of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah from Eid Al-Adha vacation.

The political bickering gathered momentum once again following the parliamentary recess, during which the Kuwaitis were happy, breathing pure fresh air free from pollutants. Everyone is aware our environment has been polluted by the lawmakers with their interpellations and aggressive behavior from the time they grabbed the green seats in the National Assembly.

This week will witness heated discussions as the gate opens for a flood of ‘interrogations’, which are not only tinted with personal interests but are also unconstitutional.

These interpellation requests are expected to be discussed next Tuesday in the National Assembly. Government sources have confirmed these interpellation requests no longer frighten the executive authority, considering the historic verdict issued by the Constitutional Court of Kuwait three weeks ago. The verdict is crystal clear on the limits and the right to use the constitutional tools.

Government sources say the interpellation is no longer a ‘scarecrow’, as it used to be when lawmakers threatened to grill ministers in an attempt to force them to bow to their wishes and/or get their transactions ‘passed’ even if it meant harm to public interests.

The sources pointed out the sun has set on the threats of interpellation forever. Now the time has come to respect the Constitution in text and spirit, in line with the provisions of the Constitutional Court, and according to the parliamentary customs and traditions. Now is the time to do away with personal interests, which more often than not, have tarnished the reputation of others who respect the powers of the executive authority and do not make gains at its expense.

Sources lamented it is embarrassing to see some lawmakers abusing their constitutional tools and using it as a weapon against those who do not tow their line. It is sad to see such lawmakers using their monitoring right as a sledgehammer. It is regrettable and unbelievable to see some lawmakers hold ‘placards’ during a session that read ‘no confidence’ even before giving an opportunity for a minister to put across his point of view.

The sources say parliamentarians in the past made the right approach and used the monitoring tool with caution. They compare the lawmakers of the past to the incumbent, who have thrown caution to the wind without reason or logic, while the conscience of some looked for evidence. The MPs of yesteryears were prompt in correcting mistakes; the accountability was meaningful and constructive when a minister was questioned with respect.

The government sources asserted the verdict of the Constitutional Court has uncovered the constitutional illegitimacy of many interpellations filed against HH the Prime Minister and his government. However, the Premier and the ministers have affirmed the right of accountability and control of the MPs, and faced the grillers.

The sources have warned against ‘misinterpretation’ of the freedom of opinion which recently became the ‘freedom of obscenity’, because some ‘people’ have started trading in the dignity others and harmed the reputation of many families in a ‘scandalous’ manner in violation of the principles of our religion and our morals.

The sources stressed the staggering number of interpellations filed against ministers, since the meeting of the first National Assembly in Kuwait in 1962.  For almost half a century, 61 interpellations were presented compared to 28 filed against the government of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad in just six years.

This means about half of the interrogations throughout the history of Kuwait have been submitted against HH the Prime Minister and his governments. Is it normal or acceptable to see 11 grilling requests being filed against the Prime Minister?

The sources said: “These ‘legitimate’ questions reveal a defect in using the constitutional tool. Undoubtedly, it is being used for personal purposes.”

The sources have reiterated full respect for the constitutional rights of the lawmakers, especially their rights to accountability and parliamentary oversight. However, the sources say, it is a must that everyone listens to the voices of reason and insight and contemplate on all that has happened in the previous legislative round, during which interpellations became a ‘curse’, brought the political life to a standstill and disrupted the interests of the country. As a result the development suffered and the sword hangs over the livelihood of the people.