Kuwait's political crisis mounts

Published May 17th, 2006 - 02:44 GMT

Kuwait's political crisis mounted on Wednesday as opposition lawmakers sought to question the premier over a controversial electoral bill. The interpollation of a prime minister is unprecedented in the political history of Kuwait.

 

Three MPs submitted a request to quiz Prime Minister Sheikh Nasser Mohammed Al Ahmed Al Sabah, after the government voted to refer the bill to the constitutional court. According to AFP, they accused the government of "deliberately blocking the bill in parliament, which amounts to obstructing political reform", and held the prime minister responsible.

 

The government on Tuesday upheld a motion to refer the bill - which calls for reducing the number of constituencies to 10 from 25 - to the constitutional court, triggering a walkout by 30 opposition MPs.  Pro-reform MPs claim that the move amounts to delaying the reforms or dropping them altogether.

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