ALBAWABA - A heated parliamentary debate in Kuwait signaled a looming confrontation with the government on a draft law to purchase billions of Kuwaiti dinars in bank loans.
The brewing tension could put the majority opposition Kuwaiti parliament and the government at loggerhead for the first time since parliamentary elections held on Sept. 29, 2021. At the time, both branches of power were deeply divided on ways of cooperation to bring about the desired reforms.
Seventeen cabinets and eight parliamentary elections were held between 2006 and 2021 in Kuwait.
MPs slam assault of Kuwaiti students https://t.co/pcsmFiyBO2
— KUWAIT TIMES (@kuwaittimesnews) January 8, 2023
Kuwait Times said that a parliamentary session this week witnessed chaotic scenes reminiscent of past crises. It said legislators rejected a request by the government to delay debating the loans draft law. Oil Minister Bader Al-Mulla, and Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs and Minister of State for Housing Ammar Al-Ajmi walked out of the stormy session, drawing anger among MPs who felt that the Cabinet ministers had snubbed them.
The parliament failed on Tuesday to debate a draft bill that calls for the government to purchase Kuwaiti citizens' loans after the Cabinet walked out of the session, and the discussion was postponed for Wednesday. What are your thoughts on this crucial topic? pic.twitter.com/NrqOoqVBcM
— KUWAIT TIMES (@kuwaittimesnews) January 10, 2023
In a joint statement, 44 lawmakers blasted the government which labels itself as a proponent of reforms. The MPs said they sought to question Finance Minister Abdulwahab Al-Rushaid for alleged mismanagement and failure to protect public funds, according to the Kuwaiti daily.
