Ruling emir of Kuwait is dead
It is with "great sadness and pain" that Kuwait's palace announces the death of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah. The ruling emir died at the age of 86. He had already been struggling with health problems in November. It is unclear who will now come to power.
The ruling emir of Kuwait is dead. Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah died 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 and was 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. It is now questionable whether a member of a younger generation will be brought to power.
In Kuwait, power is largely in the hands of the ruling al-Sabah family. In 1962, however, the country was the first Arab Gulf state to introduce a parliamentary system, and the people's representative body 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 ruling emir's death has resulted in a moment of mourning in the Parliament of Kuwait. Condolences have been expressed by various Gulf States, including Kuwait's neighbor, Saudi Arabia.
Given the constitutional system in Kuwait, the passing of Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah could potentially lead to changes in the country's parliamentary dynamics, as per the stipulations established in 1962, when Kuwait became the first Gulf State to introduce a parliamentary system.
Source: www.ntv.de
