Kuwait Elections Make Significant Changes

Kuwait consists of five constituencies, each with ten representatives. The number of eligible voters is about 796,000
Kuwait consists of five constituencies, each with ten representatives. The number of eligible voters is about 796,000
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Kuwait Elections Make Significant Changes

Kuwait consists of five constituencies, each with ten representatives. The number of eligible voters is about 796,000
Kuwait consists of five constituencies, each with ten representatives. The number of eligible voters is about 796,000

The unofficial results of Kuwait’s parliamentary elections, which were announced in the early hours of Friday, showed that the Change movement had swept the National Assembly, by winning more than half of the 50 parliamentary seats.

The voter turnout reached around 50 percent across the country, while the fifth electoral constituency saw a higher turnout.

Two women won in Friday’s elections, namely, Alia al-Khaled (second district) and former Minister Jenan Boushehri (third district).

There was high optimism following a speech by the Kuwaiti crown prince, who called for change and pledged to prevent the government from interfering with the voting process or choosing a speaker for the National Assembly.

This comes after nearly two years of conflict between the previous parliament and successive governments.

The government has adopted a set of measures to prevent vote buying and limit the influence of tribes, by fighting by-elections, as well as registering voters based on the civil ID.

Deputies representing the Islamic Constitutional Movement - Hadas (Muslim Brotherhood) succeeded in reaching the assembly. Those included: Osama Issa Al-Shaheen (first constituency), Hamad Muhammad Al-Matar (second district), and Abdulaziz Al-Saqabi (third constituency).

The Salafist movement achieved a remarkable presence with the return of MP Muhammad Hayef to the Council after his loss in the previous session, along with the victory of Adel Al-Damkhi, Fahd Al-Masoud and Hamad Al-Obeid.

The entire Bloc of Five, consisting of Hassan Gohar, Abdullah Al-Mudhaf, Badr Al-Mulla, Muhalhal Al-Mudhaf, and Muhannad Al-Sayer, also won with a high number of votes in their constituencies.

About nine Shiite deputies, distributed in various electoral districts and political blocs, won in the elections, including two independents, Osama Al-Zayd and Jenan Boushehri.

Former National Assembly Speaker Ahmed Al-Saadoun achieved a landslide victory, obtaining more than 12,200 votes in the third constituency - the highest percentage in the country.

Al-Saadoun, 87, is a veteran parliamentarian who has been a member of the National Assembly since 1975. He has won all the elections organized in Kuwait since that year.

Kuwait consists of five constituencies, each with ten representatives. The number of eligible voters is about 796,000.



Saudi Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from Syrian President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Receives Phone Call from Syrian President

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, received a phone call on Thursday from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

At the outset of the call, the Crown Prince welcomed the arrangements and measures announced by President al-Sharaa to contain recent developments in Syria.

According to SPA, he expressed the Kingdom's confidence in the Syrian government's ability, under President al-Sharaa’s leadership, to achieve security and stability for the brotherly nation.

The Crown Prince praised President al-Sharaa’s efforts to guide Syria on a path that preserves its unity, safeguards its territorial integrity, and reinforces national cohesion. He emphasized the importance of fostering solidarity among all segments of the Syrian people and preventing any sedition that may threaten the country’s security and stability.

He further stressed the importance of Syria continuing its efforts at all levels to realize the progress and prosperity that its people aspire to.

The Crown Prince reaffirmed the Kingdom’s steadfast support for Syria, standing by its side and firmly rejecting any action that undermines civil or social peace.

The Saudi Crown Prince further reiterated the Kingdom’s firm condemnation of the blatant Israeli aggressions on Syrian territories and interference in its internal affairs. He emphasized the necessity for the international community to support the Syrian government in addressing these challenges and to prevent any external interference in Syrian internal affairs under any pretext.

President Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed gratitude for the Kingdom's supportive stance towards Syria and his appreciation for the Crown Prince's efforts to bolster security and stability in Syria and the wider region.