Kuwait Election Delivers All-Male Parliament

Kuwait's new Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah attends a parliament session, in Kuwait City, Kuwait October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee/File Photo
Kuwait's new Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah attends a parliament session, in Kuwait City, Kuwait October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee/File Photo
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Kuwait Election Delivers All-Male Parliament

Kuwait's new Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah attends a parliament session, in Kuwait City, Kuwait October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee/File Photo
Kuwait's new Emir Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah attends a parliament session, in Kuwait City, Kuwait October 20, 2020. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee/File Photo

Kuwait's new parliament will be led by an all-male contingent, according to elections results posted on Sunday.

Of some 326 candidates vying for the 50-member legislature in the oil-rich Gulf state, 29 candidates were women, none of whom managed to win their races.

It is the first time since 2012 that there will not be a female lawmaker in parliament, as the only female that held a post in the legislature also lost her race.

Women have been eligible to vote in Kuwait for just 15 years.

Lulwa Saleh Al-Mulla, head of the Kuwaiti Women's Cultural and Social Society, felt the election results were bittersweet. She said was hopeful about the new younger members in parliament, but disappointed by the lack of women's representation.

"Still, the people participated positively in the polls for change and toppled some of the corrupt elements that distorted the image of democracy and abused their positions in the assembly," Mulla said.

Saturday's election was the first under new ruler Nawaf al-Ahmad Al Sabah, who took office in September, succeeding his half-brother, the late emir Sabah.

The new assembly is due to meet on Dec. 15, state news agency KUNA reported.

An Amiri Decree was issued on Sunday, calling on the newly elected National Assembly to hold the first regular session of the 16th legislative term on December 15.

Emir Sheikh Nawaf on Sunday accepted the resignation of the cabinet of Prime Minister Sabah Al Khalid Al Sabah in a routine procedure following the elections. The emir will appoint a premier to select a new cabinet.



Hamas Says It Awaits Outcomes of Mediators' Talks on Gaza Ceasefire with Israel

A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025.  (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
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Hamas Says It Awaits Outcomes of Mediators' Talks on Gaza Ceasefire with Israel

A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025.  (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A Palestinian man uses the door of a refrigerator as a makeshift rowing boat to catch fish at the port of Gaza City on March 9, 2025. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

Hamas said on Monday that it is showing flexibility in talks with mediators and is awaiting the outcome of efforts from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States in negotiations with Israel.
"We have dealt flexibly with the efforts of the mediators and (US President Donald) Trump's envoy, and we await the results of the anticipated negotiations, holding the occupation accountable for the agreement and moving to the second phase”, a Hamas statement read.
It added, according to Reuters, that the “negotiations conducted with the Egyptian and Qatari mediators and Trump's envoy are focused on ending the war, withdrawal, and reconstruction.
Hamas concluded saying that Israel’s statements about plans to resume fighting in Gaza and the decision to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip are all failed choices that pose a threat to the prisoners.