Among the other issues under discussion were beginning a new phase in parliamentary-government relations, avoiding further tension, supporting the development process and working on resolving the problems faced by the public. Although the majority of the MPs at the meeting supported the stimulus package, others proposed that the cabinet should commit itself to amending the bill should any defects become apparent, and to discussing the loans issue.
One of the parliamentarians attending the event, MP Ali Al-Omair, talked about MPs’ constitutional right to grill ministers, urging his fellow MPs to coordinate with one another should an interpellation case be raised, as it could be resolved with consultation without the need for questioning.
MP Aseel Al-Awadhi, meanwhile, expressed her optimism for a new phase of improvement in the National Assembly’s work, indicating that any reservations about female members’ presence in the parliament would not be accepted by the wider public, as it would demonstrate opposition to the Kuwaiti people’s choices. She added that she and her fellow female MPs are ready for full cooperation in order to work for the public good.
During the meeting, which was held at MP Marzouq Al-Ghanim’s Diwaniya, MP Adel Al-Saraawi indicated that there are a number of priority projects which were previously discussed, but have not yet been implemented. MP Hassan Johar, meanwhile, objected to one feature in the list of these priorities, stating that the issue of education shouldn’t be inserted at the bottom of the list, but should be treated as a top priority.
Former NA speaker MP Jassem Al-Khorafi asserted the importance of learning lessons from the previous political phase, and for working within the parliament to ensure that things progress smoothly, indicating that the next parliamentary term would be a very short one due to the forthcoming summer vacation period, so they should address the most important issues first, leaving other issues until after the vacation. Al-Khorafi praised the holding of the meeting, saying that it provided an opportunity to put t
hings into perspective among MP’s. He also addressed the issue of nomination for the speaker’s position in the new parliament, saying that he only ran for the position because he has high hopes of winning. In addition, he took the chance to congratulate HH the Prime Minister for continuing to hold the trust of HH the Amir, as well as of the Kuwaiti people.
On another note, MP Mubarak Al-Khrainage said that the most important issue discussed during the meeting was abiding by the government’s work plan. He voiced hope that the new cabinet would prove to be strong and capable of living up to its demands, and urged his fellow MP’s to give it a chance to prove itself before holding it to account. MP Saleh Ashour called for the cabinet to draw up a clear work plan to be presented to the National Assembly, asking that the parliament’s permanent and temporary commi
ttees be merged in order to improve their work. Meanwhile, MP Hassan Johar stated that the meeting featured agreement on the demands for the forthcoming phase, which is expected to feature a clear work plan from the cabinet with a designated timeline.
Another of the parliamentarians present, MP Daifallah Buramya, asked for only the most worthy members to be selected for the cabinet. Also, MP Rola Dashti called for protecting the Kuwaiti people’s savings and for the country’s economic jurisdiction system to be kept intact, adding that the current stimulus package proposal needs further amendments. On other notes, MPs Saleh Ashour and Dulaihi Al-Hajri voiced their intentions to run for the parliamentary secretary’s position, while MP Rola Dashti revealed
that she intends to run for membership of the economic and educational committees.
Furthermore, MP Khalid Bin Essa announced that the Salaf movement is unlikely to take part in the new cabinet, with an official announcement from the movement regarding the issue expected to be issued soon. In other news, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Al-Sabah has described the Guantanamo detention facility as "a stigma on America and humanity as a whole". Also, MP Khalid Al-Tahouse has announced that he will be using constitutional measures to hold the Minister of Interior Sheikh Jaber Al-Khalid a
ccountable for "failure to maintain national unity".
