The Hindu : Liberals lose to Islamists in Kuwaiti poll

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 07, 2003

International

International

Liberals lose to Islamists in Kuwaiti poll

KUWAIT CITY July 6. Islamists and supporters of the royal-led Cabinet kept their grip on Kuwait's Parliament in weekend elections while Westernised liberals suffered major losses, according to results released on Sunday.

Fundamentalist Muslims who call for the full implementation of Islamic law added one seat for a total of 21. Pro-Cabinet members jumped two to 14 of the House's 50 seats.

Liberals and their supporters — urging voting rights for women — won just three seats, down from 14 in the outgoing Parliament. The remaining 12 went to independents, an increase from four in the last House.

Under Kuwait's system, the Emir has the final say, with the ability to dissolve the legislature. Still, Parliament does have significant influence: It must approve all legislation and has in the past blocked the ruler's attempts to give women the vote.

There are no political parties in Kuwait, with many fearing this would bring political strife. Candidates run as representatives of three fundamentalist and two liberal ``movements,'' or as independents.

The Islamists fear Kuwait is losing its conservative identity, and want to change legislation to conform to Islamic law. The royal-led Cabinet follows varied policies, without a particular ideological line. And the independents include many new faces with undeclared political affiliations who were elected based on local loyalties.

In the Government comment on the vote, Kuwait Television quoted the Deputy Prime Minister, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, as saying the Kuwaiti people had ``proven political awareness and responsibility'' in the elections. He said he was ``absolutely optimistic'' that Parliament would have ``more achievements to offer.''

In campaign rallies, liberal candidates called for political reform and complained about a system in which only men over 21 can cast ballots. Accusations of vote-buying, and charges that many voters cast ballots according to allegiances to tribes and religious sects were rife.

Most liberal supporters traditionally come from Kuwait City and its suburbs. Outer tribal areas usually elect pro-Government or Islamist lawmakers.

Many liberals had hoped that success in Saturday's election would lead the legislature to agree to female suffrage in this small oil-rich state. That seemed less likely after their poor showing.

Candidates had also accused the outgoing house of failing to deal with major economic issues such as privatisation of an economy that depends on oil revenues and Government spending. — AP

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