Kuwait's prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Mohammed al-Ahmed al-Sabah, is due to face a no-confidence motion in parliament next week following six hours' questioning by MPs behind closed doors.

The questioning of Sheikh Nasser – who is the emir's nephew – was an unprecedented political event in Kuwait.

The formal questioning of ministers, which under the constitution can lead to a vote of no confidence, is something the ruling family has often manoeuvred to avoid. Since the Kuwaiti parliament was established in 1962, more than 30 ministers (though never before a prime minister) have been questioned but questioning has often been pre-empted by resignations, cabinet reshuffles and even the dissolution of parliament. 

The questioning of Sheikh Nasser followed allegations about misuse of public funds and a personal cheque given to a former MP.

In a statement after the grilling, Sheikh Nasser said it was his duty to face questions because he believed in democracy.

There were some protests at the decision – by 40 votes to 23 – to hold the questioning in private but even so it can be considered an important milestone towards ministerial accountability.

The coming no-confidence motion could still be blocked by the emir but it's looking more likely that the government will decide to sit it out, since Sheikh Nasser would probably win if it came to a vote. The ruling family's concern seems to be over their possible loss of dignity in the process.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 10 December 2009.

UPDATE: The prime minister survived a confidence vote on December 16 with 35 votes in his favour, 13 against and one abstention.