Kuwait's emir approved a new cabinet on Sunday, two days after dissolving the parliament elected just weeks earlier, with the emir and the new government taking over some of the parliament's powers.
Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmed Al Sabah on Friday dissolved the Gulf region's most powerful elected parliament and suspended provisions of the constitution, citing “interference” by its members.
The new government, the 46th in the small emirate, will be led by Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and will consist of 13 ministers, two of whom are women.
The former oil minister was given the task of forming a government last month, two weeks after the now-dissolved parliament was elected.
Outgoing Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Sabah Al Salem Al Sabah had refused to serve again amid tensions between the government and the 50-member parliament.
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Kuwait's Islamist-majority opposition party again prevailed in the most recent elections in early April, maintaining its long-held grip on parliament, which has been in a constant tug-of-war with the government and ruling party.
Lawmakers have previously accused ministers of corruption and accused the government of blocking development plans.
Incessant bickering between lawmakers and the executive branch has led to a stalemate in the oil-rich Gulf state, delaying much-needed reforms.
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The decision to dissolve parliament is his second such move in just a few months of rule.
Sheikh Meshal took over the role of emir in December following the death of his predecessor and half-brother Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmed Al Jaber Al Sabah.
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