KUWAIT CITY, April 7: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah accepted Sunday the resignation of His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Al-Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and the ministers. An Amiri Order, signed by His Highness the Amir, accepted the government’s resignation and instructed them to act as caretakers until the formation of a new Cabinet. The National Assembly shall be notified of this Order and be published in the official gazette. Meanwhile, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah signed a decree Sunday calling on National Assembly to convene on Wednesday, April 17. The National Assembly will be notified of this decree and to be published in the official gazette. The government, in an extraordinary meeting Saturday, approved a draft decree calling on the National Assembly to hold the first meeting of the 18th legislative term on April 17. On Sunday, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received former National Assembly Speaker, Ahmed Al-Saadoun.

His Highness the Amir also received former National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim. His Highness the Amir’s receptions were part of current consultations for forming a new government. In other news, MP-elect Bader Al-Dahoum has announced that the coordinative meeting of the newly elected MPs will be held at 12:30 pm on April 14, 2024 in the National Assembly building. Al-Dahoum disclosed the MPs-elect agreed on this date as it is after the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. He said the Coordinative Committee for the 2023 Assembly will conduct this meeting to specify the agenda for the upcoming legislative round — two months until the annual parliamentary recess. He added the coordinative meeting will not tackle the election of Assembly speaker and deputy speaker.

Meanwhile, MP-elect Saud Al-Asfour said the Coordinative Committee for the 2023 Assembly will continue its coordination task until a new committee is formed. He affirmed the 2023 committee will prepare for the meeting scheduled for April 14. Former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ahmed Al-Saadoun has declared that he will contest for the position of the Speaker of the National Assembly. On his X account, he stated, “As a bearer of responsibility, I announce my candidacy for the presidency of the National Assembly.”

Moreover, MP Fahd Falah bin Jamea has also announced his bid for the presidency of the National Assembly through a blog post on his official account, saying, “I announce my candidacy for the presidency of the National Assembly, and may God grant success.” MP-elect Jenan Bushehri has unveiled her plan to vie for the deputy speaker seat; indicating she aims to improve relations between the executive and legislative authorities, for the MPs and ministers to compromise, and to enhance communication between the Assembly and HH the Amir as a partner of the executive authority per Article 51 of the Constitution. Article 51 states: “In conformity with the Constitution, legislative power shall be vested in the Amir and the National Assembly.” MP-elect Osama Al-Zaid has announced that he will vote for former Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun in the same position, while he is still undecided regarding the deputy speaker position. He added that in case Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and acting Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah remains in the government, he will file a grilling motion against the next prime minister.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh

Al-Seyassah/Arab Times Staff and Agencies