Malcolm Rivera
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The head of state is the Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office. The Emir or Crown Prince is nominated by the ruling Al-Sabah family and must be approved by the National Assembly. The National Assembly has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister and any member of the cabinet, and all cabinet ministers are answerable to the National Assembly. While Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, it has recently taken an authoritarian turn, with the new monarch Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah suspending parliament and revising the constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Monarchy | Constitutional |
| Head of State | Emir or Sheikh |
| Nature of Head of State | Hereditary |
| Nature of Head of State's Powers | Bound to exercise powers and authorities within limits prescribed by an established legal framework |
| Nature of Government | Parliamentary Democracy |
| Nature of Parliament | Directly elected |
| Parliament Members | 50 elected members, chosen every four years |
| Additional Parliament Members | Up to 16 government ministers |
| Parliament's Powers | Can dismiss the Prime Minister or any member of the cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures |
| Cabinet Ministers' Accountability | Answerable to the National Assembly |
| Constitution | Exists |
| Constitutional Amendments | Proposed by the Emir but need to be approved by more than two-thirds of the members of the National Assembly |
| Constitutional Court | Exists |
| Suffrage | Universal adult suffrage |
| Citizenship Revocation | Possible |
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What You'll Learn
The Emir or Sheikh is the head of state
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, with the Emir or Sheikh as the head of state. The position of Emir or Sheikh is a hereditary office, currently held by 84-year-old Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ascended to the position in December 2023.
The National Assembly, which consists of 50 elected members chosen every four years, can dismiss the Prime Minister and any member of the cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures. All cabinet ministers are answerable to the National Assembly, which must contain at least one elected member of the Kuwaiti parliament. The Assembly also has the power to approve the rules of succession in the Amirate, which are laid down by a special law of constitutional nature.
Kuwait's constitutional monarchy differs from absolute monarchies, such as Qatar, where a monarch is the sole decision-maker. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers and authorities are limited by an established legal framework. While the Emir or Sheikh is the head of state, they do not hold absolute power and must share their authority with the National Assembly.
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The National Assembly has significant powers
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The country's constitution combines the positive aspects of both presidential and parliamentary forms of government. The National Assembly, established in 1963, is the unicameral legislature of Kuwait. It consists of 50 elected members and 16 directly appointed government ministers. The National Assembly has significant powers, including the power to dismiss the Prime Minister or any member of the cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures. All cabinet ministers are answerable to the National Assembly.
The National Assembly's financial responsibilities include approval of the state budget and final accounts. The Assembly also supervises executive power through various means, such as submitting questions, initiating discussions, and setting up commissions of inquiry. This supervision can lead to a vote of no confidence against a minister, resulting in their resignation. The Assembly's sessions are only valid when more than half of the total number of members are present, and every member has the right to initiate bills. The bill passed by the National Assembly becomes law after it is sanctioned by the Amir, and promulgated and published in the official gazette.
The National Assembly also has a role in approving the ruler's choice of crown prince. According to the Kuwaiti constitution, the nomination of a new Emir or Crown Prince by the ruling Al-Sabah family must be approved by the National Assembly. If the nominee does not receive the majority of the votes, the royal family must submit three alternative candidates to the Assembly, and one of them must be approved to hold the post. Additionally, the number of ministers in the Cabinet must not exceed one-third of the strength of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly has been suspended multiple times due to conflicts between the Emir, the government, and the Assembly. In 2024, the Assembly was suspended for a four-year constitutional re-evaluation due to frequent inaction, corruption, bribery, vote purchasing, and political deadlock. However, the National Assembly's significant powers, as established by the constitution, provide a framework for democratic governance in Kuwait.
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Kuwait's monarch has taken an authoritarian direction
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, with a directly elected parliament. The Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office, is the head of state. The Emir appoints the Prime Minister, who is always a royal, and other members of the government, as well as members of the judiciary, police, and financial institutions. The Prime Minister then chooses the cabinet of ministers, which forms the government. The Emir issues laws and policies via decrees, and the Constitution of Kuwait was approved and promulgated on 17 November 1962.
However, Kuwait's monarchy has taken an authoritarian direction under the rule of the new monarch, Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who ascended to the throne in December 2023. The Emir suspended parliament on 10 May of last year and announced a revision of the constitution, claiming that he wanted to end the political gridlock that had paralysed Kuwait. This revision of the constitution has been described as a distinctly more authoritarian direction for the country.
One example of the Emir's authoritarian rule is the legislative amendment enacted in December, which authorises the forfeiture of citizenship for "moral turpitude or dishonesty, or for actions aimed at threatening state security, including criticism of the Emir or religious figures". This amendment has resulted in nearly 42,000 Kuwaiti nationals being stripped of their citizenship in just six months, which is a radical policy shift for the Gulf country. This has been done in defiance of international law, and while the policy claims to target foreigners who illegally obtained Kuwaiti citizenship, it has also caught up naturalised citizens and political opponents. The speed and scale of these measures are unprecedented in Kuwait, and the government has been accused of proceeding in a haphazard manner.
The Emir's suspension of parliament and revision of the constitution, as well as the enactment of the legislative amendment authorising the forfeiture of citizenship, indicate that Kuwait's monarchy has taken an authoritarian direction under the rule of Emir Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
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Kuwait's constitution promotes democracy
Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, with a directly elected parliament, the oldest among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf. The country's constitution was created by the Constitutional Assembly in 1961–1962 and signed into law on 11 November 1962 by the Emir, the Commander of the Military of Kuwait, Sheikh Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah. The constitution declares Kuwait to be "an independent sovereign Arab State," with Islam as "the religion of the state," and sharia (Islamic law) as "a main source of legislation."
The Kuwaiti Constitution promotes democracy by providing for a system of government that is defined in Article 6 as "democratic, under which sovereignty resides in the people, the source of all powers." This means that the people of Kuwait are recognized as the ultimate source of political power in the country, and they exercise this power through their elected representatives in the National Assembly. The National Assembly, established by Articles 79 to 122 of the Constitution, has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister or any member of the cabinet through a series of constitutional procedures. All cabinet ministers are answerable to the National Assembly, and the Assembly must approve the appointment of a new Emir or Crown Prince, as well as any amendments to the Constitution.
The Constitution also grants citizens a number of social rights, which form the basis for Kuwait's extensive welfare system. The state is constitutionally obligated to care for the young, aid the old, the ill, and the disabled, provide public education, and attend to public health. Individual rights protected by the Constitution include personal liberty and equality before the law, freedom to hold beliefs and express opinions, and freedom of the press. The residences of citizens are inviolable, the torture and deportation of Kuwaiti citizens are prohibited, and the accused are assumed innocent until proven guilty.
However, despite these democratic provisions, there have been several instances where the Emir has suspended the National Assembly and certain constitutional articles, citing political turmoil and interference in the selection of a crown prince. These actions have been criticized as undermining democracy and disregarding the will of the citizens who elected the parliament to represent them. In addition, the parliament is given very little constitutional power, which makes it difficult for them to legislate effectively.
In conclusion, while the Kuwaiti Constitution contains democratic principles and provisions for political participation by citizens, the country's political reality is often characterized by tensions between the Emir, the government, and the National Assembly, with the Emir holding significant power and occasionally suspending democratic practices.
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Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy, not an absolute monarchy
The head of state in Kuwait is the Emir or Sheikh, a hereditary office held by the Al-Sabah family. However, the Emir does not have absolute power and is subject to the constitution and the National Assembly, which is the elected parliament. The National Assembly has the power to dismiss the Prime Minister and any member of the cabinet through constitutional procedures, and all cabinet ministers are answerable to the National Assembly. The National Assembly consists of 50 elected members, chosen every four years, and up to 16 government ministers are also granted membership in the parliament.
Kuwait's constitution outlines the country's commitment to democratic rule, with sovereignty residing in the people as the source of all powers. It guarantees political freedom, equality, and social justice, and upholds traditions inherent in the Arab nation. The constitution also ensures the integrity of the family, protects motherhood and childhood, and provides for the care of the young, the elderly, and those unable to work.
While Kuwait's monarchy holds more power than some constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom, it is not an absolute monarchy where the monarch is the sole decision-maker. The Emir of Kuwait must share power with the National Assembly and cannot act without regard for the constitution and the law.
In recent years, there have been concerns about an authoritarian shift in Kuwait, with the new Emir suspending parliament and revising the constitution. However, Kuwait remains a constitutional monarchy, and any changes to the constitution must be approved by a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kuwait is a constitutional monarchy with the oldest directly elected parliament among the Arab states of the Persian Gulf.
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the monarch is bound to exercise powers and authorities within limits prescribed by an established legal framework. The monarch is a hereditary symbolic head of state who mainly performs representative and civic roles but does not make policies.
There are two main types of constitutional monarchies: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, the monarch has significant power, while in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little to no political influence.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, and Bhutan, where the monarch has substantial discretionary powers. Other examples are the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, and Japan, where the monarch has less personal discretion in their authority.
