‘No political changes in current security situation’ – ‘System new, needs assessment’
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KUWAIT CITY, Sept 27: Talks on changing the electoral system resumed last week when MPs Rakan Al- Nisf and Ahmad Al- Qudhaibi submitted a proposal to modify the current system and apply the closed electoral lists with relative representation for each list.
Political analysts consider the government’s silence over the parliamentary proposal a sign of standoff with the legislature and outright rejection, especially since each lawmaker has the right to present any draft bill he deems fit.
Meanwhile, sources close to the government explained the authority does not reject the proposal per se because it is against the amendment of the electoral system this time for a number of reasons such as the current security and political circumstances in the region; hence, any political change is risky.
Sources believe the current electoral system will remain as it is for a long time because countries do not change their electoral systems daily. Sources stressed the current system is still new and more time is needed to assess its strengths and weaknesses before deciding to amend it or not.
Doubt
Sources also raised doubt on the proposal to adopt the electoral list system with relative representation as this necessitates political parties which are not recognized in the country. Sources asserted this proposal aims to burn bridges and disregard political facts like the absence of political parties in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the National Assembly has decided to hold a special session in the forthcoming legislative term to discuss the financial status and possible deficit in the State budget, reports Al-Shahed daily.
The daily quoting reliable sources said the recent meeting of the Parliamentary Finance Committee with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) representatives proposed recommendations for the government to deal with the deteriorating economic state stemming from the falling oil price. He indicated government’s desire to discuss other effective methods of subsidization.
He further pointed to the Ministry of Finance confirming earlier that the primary deficit recorded from April 1, 2015 until Aug 31, 2015 was KD 361.38 million before the 10 percent deduction for the future generation fund, thus the ultimate deficit reached KD1.094 million.
In another development, several lawmakers condemned the recent altercation that occurred at Justice Palace, lamenting that it misrepresents the real culture of Kuwait, reports Al-Qabas daily. MP Nabil Al-Fadhel condemned such attacks against citizens, stressing that the attackers should feel ashamed especially when they attack an attorney who performs his duty.
By Raed Yousef, Ayed Al-Enezi and Nasser Qadeeh Al-Seyassah Staff
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