There are signs that Kuwaiti MPs may finally get an opportunity to question their prime minister. If it happens, this would be a milestone for parliamentary government and it could bring an end to a long succession of political crises.

The questioning of ministers, which can lead to a vote of no confidence, is permitted by the constitution, though the ruling family has often manoeuvred to avoid it. Since the Kuwaiti parliament was established in 1962, more than 30 ministers have been questioned but the questioning has often been pre-empted by resignations, cabinet reshuffles and even the dissolution of parliament. 

According to local press reports cited by The National newspaper, the prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah, has now agreed to submit to questioning. If he does so, the move will be without precedent in Kuwait’s political history.

However, Sheikh Nasser – like many of Kuwait’s cabinet ministers– is a member of the royal family and there are suggestions that the family may still resist “allowing a senior royal to face potentially embarrassing questions”.

There are at least four current requests from MPs to question the prime minister – including one about a payment from Sheikh Nasser to a former MP.

Attempts to question ministers are sometimes made for vexatious purposes with the intention of harassing them, but ministers’ accountability to parliament will have to be accepted sooner or later if the country’s emerging democratic system is to move forward.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 24 November 2009.