عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Kuwait Elections: Rise of Populist Rhetoric, Reform Demands Decline Before Polls

Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
TT
TT

Kuwait Elections: Rise of Populist Rhetoric, Reform Demands Decline Before Polls

Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections
Election rally for one of the candidates in Kuwait’s 2024 National Assembly elections

Kuwaiti authorities are investigating a case involving the manipulation of special elections targeting a specific group in Kuwaiti society ahead of the 2024 National Assembly (parliament) elections.

In a statement released on “X”, Kuwait’s Public Prosecution stated that it has ordered the arrest of two suspects and is in the process of apprehending the remaining individuals, with investigations ongoing.

Over the past two years, the Kuwaiti government has implemented reforms to curb political corruption and reduce the influence of powerful tribal groups, including cracking down on by-elections and enforcing voter registration through civil ID cards to prevent vote-buying.

Several candidates for the 2024 National Assembly elections have been disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria, including previous convictions related to by-elections.

Candidates must not have prior felony convictions or convictions for crimes compromising honor, integrity, or religious and royal entities, unless rehabilitated.

As Kuwait's National Assembly elections approach, candidates are using gatherings during Islam’s holy month of Ramadan to connect with voters.

These gatherings, usually held in diwaniyas, are fewer this time. Candidates talk about everyday concerns like financial support and debt relief, promising solutions.

While some discuss political reform and anti-corruption measures, most focus on appealing to voters with immediate promises.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Kuwaiti writer Nasser Al-Abdali expressed concern about the lack of serious agendas in the elections, blaming it on the absence of clear ideologies.

He pointed out that without strong political movements, proposals have become purely populist.

Al-Abdali criticized the government’s role in this trend, saying they now face a choice between meeting populist demands or risking the integrity of the parliamentary system.

He also noted a surge in young candidates offering fresh ideas based on their own experiences in various fields, unlike older deputies who tend to repeat past strategies.

According to lawyer Abdulaziz Boumajdad, there’s nothing groundbreaking in the candidates’ proposals.

“While each presents solutions in their own way, the overall approach remains similar,” Boumajdad told Asharq Al-Awsat.

It is noteworthy that these elections are the third in Kuwait within two years, following previous rounds in September 2022 and March 2023, which were invalidated due to legal issues.

Most Viewed

 
 
Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince, Lebanese President Discuss Latest Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
TT
TT

Saudi Crown Prince, Lebanese President Discuss Latest Developments

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Friday with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on the latest developments in Lebanon and the region.

The leaders discussed efforts to consolidate security and stability.

Aoun expressed Lebanon’s appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s stances towards Lebanon and its support to achieve stability and peace in the region.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Russia Sign MoU for Environmental Protection

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT
TT

Saudi Arabia, Russia Sign MoU for Environmental Protection

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to cooperate in environmental protection, aiming to strengthen the bilateral partnership and develop collaboration on environmental issues of mutual interest.

Signed by Saudi Vice Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al Mushaiti during his visit to Russia and Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Alexander Kozlov, the memorandum will contribute to strengthening joint efforts to preserve natural resources and achieve environmental sustainability in accordance with the legislation of both nations.

Key areas of cooperation include developing vegetation cover, mitigating land degradation, sustainable forest management, and developing management systems for protected and natural areas.

Additionally, the partnership will focus on enhancing environmental monitoring and waste management, supporting scientific research to protect and rehabilitate rare and endangered species, combating the illegal trade of endangered flora and fauna, and protecting migratory bird routes and stopover areas.

The agreement also targets the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity alongside the exchange of technical expertise and successful environmental initiatives.

This cooperation will be implemented through the exchange of information, expert visits, and the organization of joint conferences, seminars, and training courses, supervised by a newly formed joint working group to follow up on future environmental opportunities.

Gulf

Man Sentenced to Life in Jail for Murder of Saudi Student in Cambridge

Saudi student Mohammed Algasim. (Cambridgeshire police)
Saudi student Mohammed Algasim. (Cambridgeshire police)
TT
TT

Man Sentenced to Life in Jail for Murder of Saudi Student in Cambridge

Saudi student Mohammed Algasim. (Cambridgeshire police)
Saudi student Mohammed Algasim. (Cambridgeshire police)

The Cambridge Crown Court sentenced to life in prison on Thursday a man for the murder of Saudi student Mohammed Algasim in August 2025.

Prosecutors said that construction worker Chas Corrigan, 22, attacked Algasim, 20, with a kitchen knife after “an evening of drinking and using drugs”, reported the BBC.

Corrigan was sentenced to life, to serve a minimum term of 22 years and six months in prison after he was found guilty of murder at an earlier trial.

Corrigan's father, Peter Corrigan, 50, was also jailed for two years after pleading guilty to assisting an offender after concealing high-visibility clothing that his son had been wearing at the time of the attack.

Cambridgeshire police said Chas used a kitchen knife to stab Algasim in the neck in Mill Park on the evening of August 1.

Algasim ran from the scene but collapsed moments later as a member of the public called for an ambulance.

Three off duty doctors and paramedics found him bleeding heavily on the pavement and despite best efforts to save him, his injury to his neck was so severe that he was pronounced dead at 12:19am, the police said in a statement.

The whole incident was captured on CCTV camera and showed Chas run from the scene.

A media appeal was launched within hours and, following a tip-off from a member of the public, Chas was arrested.

Algasim had been in the city on a 10-week placement studying English in the city.

During the trial, Chas accepted he was the man seen in the CCTV footage and that he had been carrying a knife, claiming he intended only to scare off any attackers and not to use it.

Following a two-week trial at Cambridge Crown Court, which concluded in March, a jury took less than two hours to find him guilty of murder. He had previously pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place, said the statement.

His father was also sentenced to two years in prison after previously pleading guilty to assisting an offender on September 8.

He was captured on CCTV at 9:04am on August 2 removing the blood-stained jacket his son had been wearing from bushes in Vinter Terrace and placing it into a wheelie bin. He also helped his son evade arrest by facilitating him hiding at the Holbrook property, said the police statement.

Detective Chief Inspector Dale Mepstead, who led the investigation from the Major Crime Unit, said: “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Chas’ actions. He chose to arm himself with a knife and carry it in a public place, with devastating consequences.”

Algasim “was a young man with his whole life ahead of him, and his death has had a profound impact on all who knew him. Our thoughts continue to be with his family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss,” he added.

Following the trial, in a statement, the Algasim family said: “This has been a very difficult journey for our family. Losing Mohammed has left a deep void in our lives. Whilst nothing can bring him back, today’s verdict recognizes the seriousness and brutality of how his life was taken.

“We thank Cambridgeshire Police for their thorough investigation. In particular, we are grateful to Lucy Bright and Charlie Sermon for their steady communication and support. We also acknowledge the wider investigation team and those working behind the scenes for their efforts.

“We recognize the Prosecution team, especially Nicholas Hearn and Ruby Shrimpton for their clear and focused presentation of the case. We understand that the legal system here is different from our own, but within the British legal framework, they carried out their responsibilities with professionalism and commitment.

“Finally, we thank the jury for their thorough consideration of the evidence and for reaching a verdict based on the facts presented in court.”