KUWAIT CITY (AP) – Kuwaitis voted Saturday for representatives in the tiny, oil-rich country’s parliament as the Gulf nation struggles to cope with a slump in oil prices that is straining public finances.
The snap elections were triggered by the emir’s order to dissolve the previous legislature in October following cuts to welfare benefits and a hike in state-subsidized gasoline prices.
Western-allied Kuwait has the most freewheeling political system among the wealthy Gulf Arab states, though power ultimately rests with the hereditary emir. The 50-member parliament has legislative powers and the authority to question ministers, including members of the ruling family.
But a government crackdown on political dissent, including the shuttering of opposition media, the jailing of prominent opposition figures, and changes to the electoral law, have undermined Kuwaitis’ confidence that their votes will make much difference.
“There is nothing that drives me to cast my vote,” says Nasser al-Dawood, a 26-year old marketer. “We boycotted the previous elections for a number of reasons. Those reasons are still valid … our participation will only give legitimacy to this cat-and-mouse game between cabinet and parliament.”