Al-Saadoun confirms run for Speakership

KUWAIT CITY, June 8: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has accepted the resignation of the government as per Article 57 of the Constitution. This article states: “At the commencement of every legislative session of the National Assembly, the formation of the government shall be reconstituted in the manner specified in the preceding Article.” HH the Crown Prince announced that the current ministers remain in office as caretaker government. Also, the Council of Ministers submitted a decree to HH the Crown Prince stating that the inauguration of the newly elected National Assembly will be on June 20, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court received two petitions against the recently concluded parliamentary election. Former MP Saadoun Hammad submitted one of these petitions; claiming that he should be in 10th place in his constituency with 3,715 votes according to the votes counted by his representatives in the polling stations. Attorney Hani Husain filed the other petition, requesting for declaration of the unconstitutionality of the election, because it is based on decree number 5/2022 — vote according to the address in the civil identification card. He said this decree is unconstitutional, so the election must be declared unconstitutional as well.

On the other hand, former MP Obaid Al-Wasmi said he has no intention to file a petition against the election results even if official documents proved that he won. He explained the parliamentary position is not the ultimate goal, because it is a way to achieve goals and provide services. MP-elect Ahmad Al-Saadoun has confirmed that he will vie for the Speakership; while MPs-elect Muhammad Al-Mutair and Marzouq Al-Hebeini will run for deputy speaker. It is expected that Al-Saadoun and MP-elect Marzouq Al Ghanim will be the main contenders for the Speaker seat. MP-elect Osama Al-Shaheen said he will run for the National Assembly secretary post, relying on the support of the pro-reform majority in the legislature. MP-elect Dawoud Marafi disclosed that he will not join any parliamentary bloc, stressing the total number of MPs is 50 and they are supposed to be members of one bloc.

In addition he has no intention to accept any ministerial position; as he prefers to work as a representative of the people. He is planning to be part of the Education, Financial and Economic Affairs committees; affirming his specialization matches the work of these two committees. Moreover, MP-elect Muhammad Hayef Al- Mutairi invited his colleagues to a meeting in his house in Ardiya on Sunday to specify priorities and coordinate their positions on the formation of parliamentary committees.

By Saeed Mahmoud Saleh
Arab Times Staff