Change of government - The Emir of Kuwait is dead: Crown Prince becomes new head of state
The ruling emir of Kuwait is dead. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died on Saturday at the age of 86, according to a statement from the palace broadcast by Kuwaiti state television. Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah had been ruler of the oil-rich Gulf state for three years, having been sworn in in September 2020 following the death of his half-brother.
The announcement of the death was made with "great sadness and pain", according to the ruling house. State television interrupted the regular program and broadcast recited Quranic verses. According to the state news agency Kuna, Sheikh Nawaf had already been admitted to hospital in November due to an "emergency".
Sheikh Nawaf was appointed crown prince in 2016 by his then-ruling half-brother Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. After taking office in September 2020, he led the country through an economic crisis caused by the crash in the price of oil. The current Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, is also a half-brother of the late Sheikh. The government cabinet appointed the 83-year-old as the new head of state, as reported by the state news agency Kuna.
A ruling family in Kuwait, but also political reforms
The small oil-rich state had previously announced the death of monarch Sheikh Nawaf, who had been undergoing medical treatment since the end of November. Kuwait has the most active parliament in the region, which is granted slightly more influence on legislation than in neighboring countries. However, de facto power lies in the hands of the ruling family.
In 1962, however, the country was the first Arab Gulf state to introduce a parliamentary system, and popular representation is more powerful in the country than in any other Gulf state. Kuwaiti women have had the right to vote and stand for election since 2005. Recently, however, political disputes between elected members of parliament and ministers appointed by the palace have led to political turbulence, which has also deterred foreign investors.
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The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, who passed away recently, hailed from the ruling family of Kuwait. Despite being a monarchy, Kuwait experienced a 'Change of government' with the death of Sheikh Nawaf, as his half-brother, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, was appointed as the new head of state.
The political turmoil in Kuwait, issued from disputes between elected parliament members and ministers appointed by the palace, has led to a decrease in foreign investments, underscoring the potential for a 'Change of government' to bring about a 'Dead' issue to life, referring to the political instability, in this case.
Source: www.stern.de
