Country Report Kuwait May 2011

The political scene: Youth groups demand removal of prime minister

Youth groups such as the Soor al-Khames (Fifth Fence) and Kafi (Enough) movements that have been organising on Twitter and Facebook have continued to demand a new government and reform of the political system. A countrywide signature campaign launched by Soor al-Khames and Kafi has attracted criticism from pro-government MPs, with Salwa al-Jassar, an independent, calling it unconstitutional. A number of other groups, including the parliamentary Popular Action Bloc, the Development and Reform Bloc, the Islamic Constitutional Movement and the National Union of Students, have joined the youth movements. Together, they have established a committee that will, according to Waleed al-Tabtabaei, an Islamist MP, call for "a new prime minister, new government and a new approach".

This increased mobilisation and campaigning by youth groups is indicative of a growing frustration with the status quo and the ongoing stalemate in Kuwaiti politics. However, a relatively open political system and a vocal parliament have acted as a safety valve (and the country's oil wealth as a safety net) that is largely absent in neighbouring countries.

© 2011 The Economist lntelligence Unit Ltd. All rights reserved
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