By Khaled Al-Abdulhadi

KUWAIT: There is speculation regarding the next prime minister as recent parliamentary tensions have appeared to cause a stalemate in talks between the government and the National Assembly, leading to much speculation about the success of communication and agreement between the government and the parliament.

With the resignation of the 42nd Cabinet of Kuwait just 183 days after its formation, the history of cabinets in Kuwait come to mind, since Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah headed the first Cabinet in January 1962 after the country gained its independence in 1961 and began its parliamentary journey a year later.

Kuwait has had nine prime ministers since 1962 and 45 cabinets, with the prime minister being primarily the crown prince until 2003, when Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah became the first prime minister of Kuwait not to be the crown prince at the same time. The first Cabinet, headed by Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem, lasted for a year and nine days from January 1962 to January 1963. He was followed by his brother Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem, who formed three cabinets - the second, third and fourth cabinets from February 1963 to November 1965, amounting to two years and 298 days.

The third prime minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah's tenure lasted for 12 years and 73 days from November 1965 to February 1978, during which he formed five governments - from the fifth Cabinet to the ninth Cabinet of Kuwait. The tenure of the fourth and longest serving prime minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah, lasted for 25 years and 155 days, from February 1978 to July 2003, forming 11 cabinets from the 10th Cabinet to the 20th Cabinet of Kuwait.

Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad became the prime minister in 2003, forming one Cabinet that lasted for two years and 201 days, from July 2003 to January 2006. Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah became the prime minister in January 2006, forming seven cabinets - from the 22nd till the 28th cabinets until November 2011, when Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah became prime minister for just under eight years - from November 2011 until November 2019, during which he formed seven cabinets.

In November 2019, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah became prime minister, continuing until July 2022, a period of two years and 248 days, during which he formed seven cabinets. As for the most recent prime minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf Al-Sabah, his tenure if he does not return as prime minister of a new Cabinet will be the shortest in Kuwait, of just 183 days.

He took office in July 2022, but the government he formed received a backlash and he resigned the day after, making it officially the shortest serving Cabinet. His latest Cabinet was formed on October 16, 2022, which resigned on January 23, 2023. One cannot hesitate to speculate about the upcoming situation and recent developments between the government and the National Assembly.

On one hand, the lack of communication between the two bodies gives much to consider on whether Sheikh Ahmad Al-Nawaf will return as prime minister or not, while on the other hand, constitutional court objections to the polls are still ongoing, which could take us on the verge of witnessing another election. This election will be the second in under six months.