A Blog by the Editor of The Middle East Journal

Putting Middle Eastern Events in Cultural and Historical Context

Friday, December 10, 2010

Kuwaiti Violence Riles Opposition

A government crackdown on what the authorities called an unauthorized protest has led to controversy in Kuwait, since some opposition members of Parliament were reportedly injured in the clash. The opposition now intends to question the Prime Minister in Parliament. Parliamentary attempts to question members of the Royal Family have frequently led to dissolutions of Parliament in the past. More here. Opposition figures are calling the event "unprecedented" since sitting Kuwaiti MPs (four, by one account) were roughed up. This account goes into the background a bit: the government is trying to lift the immunity of an opposition MP, and protests are occurring. This one took place late Wednesday outside the diwaniyya, the traditional home gathering place for open discussion in Kuwait, of an MP.

See this post from last year and its link if you need some background. The longstanding wrestling match between the ruling family and Parliament continues. This seems to have escalated the stakes a bit since MPs were injured, but it's a symptom of an ongoing struggle.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Technically, the request to lift the immunity of the MP Faysal AlMusallam was lodged by Burgan Bank.

Earlier he had disclosed a check signed by the Prime Minister which he alleged was evidence of corruption. The PM claimed it was a personal matter.