New emir and PM facing the tough task of pulling Kuwait out of political paralysis

The new emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, has appointed Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Al Salem as the Gulf country’s new prime minister, allowing him to take up the tedious task of forming a new cabinet, according to a royal decree.

The late emir’s son and the departing prime minister, Sheikh Ahmad Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Sabah, handed in the cabinet’s resignation following the inaugural address of Sheikh Meshal, in which he criticised what he said was “harm to the interest of the people and the country”.

Kuwait’s new prime minister’s impressive biography

Last month, after being sworn in as Kuwait’s 17th ruler at a special session at the National Assembly in Kuwait City, the new emir referred to public appointments and promotions that fail to meet the standards of “justice and fairness”.

The return of Sheikh Mohammed to government has been a popular demand for some time, said Bader Al Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University. The new prime minister was formerly the minister of foreign affairs and deputy prime minister.

But he resigned from both roles in 2011, citing a commitment to anti-corruption. He has been out of politics for more than 10 years. His official biography page states the PM holds a PhD in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies from Harvard University.

Kuwait Amir appoints Sheikh Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Sabah PMhttps://t.co/6Qh77hhfTH#KUNA #KUWAIT pic.twitter.com/P6SO9QwXIp

— Kuwait News Agency – English Feed (@kuna_en) January 4, 2024

Pulling Kuwait out of long-standing political paralysis

In addition, Sheikh Mohammed’s undergraduate thesis, Critical Analysis of Inflation in Kuwait, won the prestigious Salvatori Scholar Prize in 1978, according to his biography. His mother also descends from the ruling family and his brother used to be a Minister of Defence.

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The emir and the PM now face the task of pulling Kuwait out of political paralysis and reforming a bloated public sector. The country has previously encountered political uncertainty amid disputes between opposition politicians and senior government officials.