Muslim fundamentalists (Sunni and Shiite) and candidates backed by Islamist movements won almost one-third of the 50 seats in the country’s 10th National Assembly. The Islamist bloc, however, despite winning over 17 seats, may not be able to prevent the passage of a long-awaited bill to grant Kuwaiti women their political rights in a largely pro-government parliament.
Liberals, meanwhile, suffered a major setback by winning only four seats compared to 9 in the 1999 Parliament. Two prominent icons of the liberal movement in Kuwait, Abdullah Al-Naibari and Ahmed Al-Rubei lost their seats. The tepid victory by fundamentalists fell below expectations, since Kuwait’s political culture heavily favors the tribal leaders who owe allegiance to the ruling Al-Sabah family. A large section of candidates, mainly backed by Islamist blocs, come from tribal backgrounds mainly concentrated on the outskirts of the Capital. The leading opposition party, the Popular Action bloc, despite some setback, is likely to be boosted by some Islamist sympathizers or MPs who won seats as independents. The change of MPs in the 2003 parliament compared to the 1999 parliament reached over 65 per cent with new faces elected for the first time.
| Threw the rascals out, did they? And got a new set of rascals... |
Islamic Constitutional Movement spokesman Mohammed Al-Baseeri has accused liberals of allegedly trying to sideline Muslim fundamentals under the pretext of the international war against terrorism. Al-Baseeri affirmed ICM’s firm stand against terror, but openly charged liberals of trying to Westernise the Kuwaiti society and pave the way for the normalisation of ties with Israel. First Deputy Premier and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah dismissed allegations of vote-buying by the government, saying they were baseless. ‘Those who have any proof of poll rigging must present them, and they have the right to legal action,’ Deputy Premier and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khaled Al-Sabah said.
| "And all the witnesses are in Monaco now..." |
Candidates loyal to the ruling family, including liberals, independents and Islamist candidates also won almost 15 seats.
| Ummm... Would that be 14? That's almost 15... |
Other pro-government politicians, including former legislators and ex-Cabinet ministers, took 9 seats. Supporters of victorious candidates cheered their triumph, some fired guns and ignited fireworks in the air in street celebrations that began in the pre-dawn hours Sunday, despite an earlier Interior Ministry warning against such activities.
| "Hurrah! Our guys won! Was it good for you, too, Fatimah?" |
The ICM, the political arm of the Muslim Brotherhood Movement, seeks to introduce strict Islamic law, such as applying Islamic rules in the Penal codes, strict clothing code for women, ban on alcohol, and the abrogation of any attempt by the government to normalise ties with Israel. It regards US policy in the Middle East as biased toward Israel and bent on controlling Arab oil wealth. While the party and its allies will command nearly 45 per cent of the incoming legislative seats, this will allow a measure of opposition to the government’s moderate policies. The triumph of Muslim fundamentalists in the elections came despite a rift between the ICM and the Salafi Movement — the two major Islamic blocs in Kuwait. The two blocs failed to reach an agreement ahead of the elections when the ICM refused Salafists’ demands to withdraw from some constituencies in favour of Salafists and their sympathisers. Six major unregistered parties, including the ICM, the two main liberal blocs - Kuwait Democratic Front and the National Democratic Movement, the Popular Action Movement, the Salafi Movement, the National Islamic Alliance (Shiites), contested this year’s elections. Apart from the ICM, the rest of seats were won by small blocs with right, center and left-leaning agendas, in addition to some independent candidates backed by the six blocs. They had fielded a total of 26 aspirants.
| It appears, despite the good face being put on it, that the fundos have won 45 percent of Kuwait's parliamentary seats — enough to do some serious obstruction. If they're taking a cue from the MMA in Pakalonia, that's what they'll do. Whether that'll make Kuwaitis more or less likely to vote for them next time around is an open question. But they had an election, and it was probably more honest than most in the Arab world. Point for Kuwait! |
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