Kuwaiti Emir Shaikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al Sabah dissolved parliament on 16 October, precipitating fresh elections, amid growing political turbulence over subsidy reforms. This closes the book on the legislative body elected in July 2013 which had proven more amenable to deals with foreign oil companies than its predecessors. Fresh elections will be held on 27 November.
The Emir attributed the move to regional security challenges, but appears to have acted to head off the growing row over subsidy reforms. Three MPs had filed to question, “grill”, Finance Minister and acting Oil Minister Anas al-Salih over the issue on 12 October. MPs had also pledged to grill Prime Minister Jaber al-Sabah over the reduction of gasoline subsidies. (CONTINUED - 912 WORDS)
