National Assemblies of Kuwait - Essay Example

National Assemblies of Kuwait The National Assembly is one of the crucial consultative bodies that sprang up in Kuwait after independence. Various national assemblies were formed between 1963 and 1985 to keep the government on toes through active debates. The first National Assembly was formed in 1963 following Constituent Assembly elections in 1961. The assembly closed between 1976 and 1981. However, its dissolution took another five years and it was finally dissolved in 1986. The root of the first National Assembly can be traced to 1938 when Majlis Movement pushed for political engagement.

The opposition lobbied for a parliament, by petitioning the government in 1950s, via the leadership of Ahmad al-Khatib and his movement, National Culture Club. 1967 elections were marred by irregularities on the part of the government, which necessitated the need for fresh elections. As such, new election was held in 1971, yielding an acquiescent assembly with just four members of the opposition, excluding the leader of opposition, Al-Khatib. The assembly proved a major opposing force for the amir administration.

The fourth assembly elections occurred in 1975 giving birth to an assembly that passionately opposed the government than its predecessor. Unhappy with the opposition of the assembly, amir dissolved it in 1976 issuing new ultimatums for press and public conventions. The fifth assembly existed between 1981 and 1985. It also produced an active opposition like the previous assemblies. However, divisions over constitutional changes among other issues led to the demise of the assembly fueled by intense religious opposition determination.

The sixth assembly election was held in 1985, in which the government reviewed its Islamists support by encouraging Beduin contenders to bar Islamists. Unlike before, the government gave the nationalists room to participate, which saw the revival of Al-Khatib. Al-Khatib and three other nationalists emerged victorious in the elections. Following its vehement opposition to the government and determination to remove corrupt ministers from office, the sixth assembly also faced the possibility dissolution.

Seeing that the assembly had dug too much into the ruling family, amir suspended the assembly. The assembly was eventually dissolved following violence experienced in 1985. However, the assembly remained influential opposition symbol even after its closure and limited scope.Of all the assemblies, the 1981-1985 assembly seemed more interesting. Apart from being vociferous like its predecessors, the assembly was far much effective in its opposition that it shake the government than any other previous assemblies.

The 1981-1985 assembly had a successful run on the government by blocking numerous government bills. The most interesting part of the assembly comes out when it passionately took on ministers, not sparing the ruling family members. The effectiveness of the assembly can be seen when it led to the resignation of corrupt individuals in the government. The inquiry of the assembly into extensive corruption within the government led to the resignation of the Justice Minister, Salman Du’aij, who was accused of numerous illegal financial deals, including his intention to use compensate his young son’s stock market losses.

The assembly championed for the resignation of many ministers including oil, education, finance and communications ministers. All these were happening irrespective of the fact that the assembly had limited scope. It is through strong opposition to the government that cut right through the ruling family, which led the government to suspend the assembly and later follow it with dissolution decision. The 1981-1985 assembly changed the political landscape of Kuwait, by launching scathing attack on the government to free it from corruption.