Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah issued a decree on Sunday naming Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf al-Sabah as the prime minister, replacing caretaker premier Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid.
Sheikh Sabah faced a combative parliament amid a feud between the government and elected assembly, prompting him to resign four times since forming his first government in November 2019.
Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who took over most of the ruling emir’s duties late last year, signed the decree and asked the new premier to propose a new cabinet for approval.
Once formed, the new cabinet will submit to the Emir the decision to dissolve the National Assembly, in preparation for early elections.
National Assembly Speaker Marzouq al-Ghanim congratulated Sheikh Ahmad for assuming this post, wishing him success and the ability to bear the burdens and the major national responsibility to ensure continued progress.
The government had handed in its resignation on April 5, ahead of a non-cooperation motion against then-prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Khalid in the National Assembly.
The Crown Prince accepted the resignation on May 10, issuing a decree asking the government to stay on in a caretaker capacity.
Tensions have persisted between the government and parliament since the elections and they peaked during the coronavirus pandemic as Kuwait grappled with various economic and political crises caused by the pandemic and drop in oil prices.
Disputes between the legislative and executive authorities have often obstructed Kuwait's efforts for financial and economic reforms.
On June 22, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal decided to constitutionally dissolve the National Assembly and called for new general elections, which was widely welcomed by politicians and parliament members.
