By KUNA
Kuwait : The National Assembly in its 11th legislative term, dissolved Wednesday by Amiri Decree, is the fifth in the parliamentary history of the country to be disbanded.
The parliament was dissolved for the first time in August 1976, during the 4th legislative term, after the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah declared that there was a crisis between the legislative and executive branches that compelled this move.
A committee of experts was formed to revise the constitution, and its work was set for six months. Parliamentary life in Kuwait stopped for four years, until elections for the 5th legislative term were held in February 1981.
The parliament was dissolved again during the 6th legislative term in July 1986, coinciding with the suspension of some articles of the constitution.
The third time the parliament was dissolved was in its 8th legislative term in May 1999, this time constitutionally, “due to abuse of MPs in using constitutional tools.” It came following the interpellation of Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Ahmad Al-Kulaib.
As for the fourth time that the parliament was dissolved, this took place in May 2006 during the 10th legislative term, and came due to “division within the parliament and exchanging accusations between members, leading to a discussion of unless topics that hindered its (parliament) work and instigated strife between sects of the societies, mutilated national dialogue and harmed higher national interests.” Article 107 of the constitution stipulates, “The Amir may dissolve the National Assembly by a decree in which the reasons for the dissolution shall be indicated. However, dissolution of the Assembly may not be repeated for the same reasons.
“In the event of dissolution, elections for the new Assembly shall be held within a period not exceeding two months from the date of dissolution.
“If the elections are not held within the said period, the dissolved Assembly shall be restored to its full constitutional authority and shall meet immediately as if the dissolution had not taken place. The Assembly shall then continue functioning until the new Assembly is elected.” During the National Assembly’s 11th legislative term, the relationship between the legislative and executive authorities witnessed tension that served to widen the gap between them.
The Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on more than one occasion, sought to breach the gap between the two sides and called on them to place national interests above all else in order to achieve the aspired development and advancement.
Seven interpellations were filed during the 11th legislative term, leading to the resignation of all ministers that took the stand, or relieve from their post, with the exception of Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nouriya Al-Subeeh.
According to Article 100 of the constitution, “Every member of the National Assembly may address to the prime minister and to ministers interpellations with regard to matters falling within their competence.” The first interpellation was filed by MP Faisal Al-Mislem on December 3, 2006 against Information Minister Mohammad Al-Sanousi on grounds that the minister was not abiding by the principle of cooperation between the legislative and executive authorities. Al-Sanousi resigned one day before the issue was debated at the parliament.
On January 17, 2007, MPs Jamaan Al-Hirbish, Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Ahmad Al-Shuhoumi filed an interpellation against Health Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah on administrative violations, the immigration of doctors and deteriorating conditions in the health sector. A no-confidence vote was requested but the cabinet resigned before this could be taken.
And on June 10, 2007, MPs Musallam Al-Barrak, Abdullah Al-Roumi and Adel Al-Saraawi filed an interpellation motion against Oil Minister Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah on attempting to misguide public opinion and financial and administrative violations at Kuwait Petroleum Corporation. The motion was discussed but the minister resigned before the set date for the no-confidence vote.
Yet another interpellation was filed by MPs Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Faisal Al-Mislem on August 25, 2007, against Health Minister Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak on grounds of a fire that broke out at Jahra Hospital. The minister had already tendered her resignation.
An interpellation was filed against Finance Minister Bader Al-Humaidhi on October 22, 2007. by MP Dr. Dhaifallah Buramya over financial and administrative violations at the ministry’s bodies. The minister was rotated to the Oil Ministry and resigned eight days afterwards.
On the same day, MPs Dr. Waleed Al-Tabtabaei and Dr. Ali Al-Omair filed an interpellation motion against Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Abdullah Al-Maatouq on corruption at the Awqaf Ministry. The minister was relieved of his post in a cabinet reshuffle six days after the interpellation was filed.
The final interpellation of the 11th legislative term was filed on December 24, 2007, by MP Dr. Saad Al-Shuraie against Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Nouriya Al-Subeeh. Confidence in the minister was renewed in a 27-19 vote on January 22, 2008.