Kuwaitis vote for new parliament to break political gridlock

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaitis went to the polls Saturday looking to elect a more representative and effective parliament after two years of political wrangling between the executive and legislative branches that have left many disgusted with politics.

Voters said the political squabbling has diverted too much attention away from using booming oil revenues for economic development.

New electoral rules to reduce corruption and vote-buying and greater political opportunities for women could result in a markedly different legislature for this tiny, oil-rich Gulf nation and U.S. ally.

Part of that big change in Kuwait's politics is the role of women, who only got the right to run for office in 2005. While none were elected in 2006 contests, hopes are high this time around for the 27 women vying for office together with 248 men. Women account for 55 percent of voters.

"I'm very optimistic," said Aseel al-Awadi, the only female candidate who has the support of a political group, the westernized liberal National Democratic Alliance. "In 2006, there was no confidence in women. But with time, they started getting into the game."

Women candidates, however, still face an uphill battle in gaining the trust of most voters in this nation where parliamentarians are usually elected along tribal and family lines.

Polls closed at 1700 GMT and full results are expected on Sunday.

The hope is that the new parliament will be more representative and be able to better cooperate with the government. For the past two years, lawmakers and the government have been unable to work together, prompting Kuwait's emir to dissolve the body twice since 2006.

The election comes after the country's ruler, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, dissolved parliament in March. He made the move in the wake of an increasingly acrimonious relationship between the Cabinet, appointed by the emir, and the 50-seat legislative body.

Although candidates have heaped criticism on what they called the "weak" Cabinet, most Kuwaitis seem to blame lawmakers more for the political gridlock.

"Only a few of the previous parliament members should come back," said Abdullah al-Zaid, a 42-year-old customs officer, as a he waited in a long line to vote at a men's polling station. He said the squabbling has taken up too much time, diverting efforts of both powers from developing the country with the revenues pouring in from oil.

"The barrel is more than 100 dollars and we don't see any improvement in services and infrastructure," the bearded Muslim fundamentalist lamented.

For decades of oil plenty, Kuwaitis have enjoyed a generous cradle-to-grave welfare system including free education and health care. However, the standard of these services has not kept up with the private sector's and many prefer to go to private clinics or send their children to expensive foreign schools.

Parliament has mounted a number of challenges against Cabinet ministers, grilling them or threatening to impeach them over a range of issues from endangering religious values to corruption. The animosity paralyzed politics and halted plans to privatize the single-source economy.

Those plans include unpopular moves such as introducing income taxes, which Kuwait has never done, and allowing foreign companies into the state-owned oil sector.

Parliament members have clashed with the government over additional pay raises for Kuwaitis and proposals to use public money for forgiving consumer debts of citizens. Many promised in campaign speeches to keep trying for the benefits if they win.

"I think legislators have learned the lesson that loud voices will get them nowhere, and maybe this time they will cooperate with the Cabinet," said voter Saleh Khalaf.

What may make this new parliament different is the reduction of electoral districts form 25 to just five to defeat attempts at vote-buying. Reformists believe larger districts will make it harder for candidates to buy their victory because they will need much more money.

Saturday's elections are the first in Kuwait under the new rules, which were pushed through after widespread protests in the country. Each of the five districts sends 10 representatives to parliament, and each person can vote for four candidates in a district.

Nasser al-Abdali, who heads a small group called Kuwaiti Society for Developing Democracy, said the problem goes much deeper than election results.

He believes the clashes between parliament and Cabinet _including grillings_ are a reflection of struggles within the ruling family. Lack of officially recognized political parties weakens the prime minister, who sometimes finds himself without enough backing in parliament, al-Abdali said.

"What we have is a form of participation, not a democracy," he said.

Dior: Taming the big game

More from Style:

• A fading sweetness at Nina Ricci
• A.F. Vandevorst: Dressing like mother
• Tattoos gain new visibility

Search

Subscriptions
Sign Up  |  Manage