The vested interests of these people have been harmed by the national assembly. That’s why they have been launching this wild campaign against democracy. These are so influential and have candidates in all districts" Saadoun said. "The projects the Assembly has stopped were full of violations and were attempts to capture state properties. We have countered people with massive influence and capability and with a huge influence on government decisions," the former lawmaker added.
Saadoun accused the government of stalling development, saying that the government did not spend more than KD 700 million in last year’s budget. "Who prevented them from spending the money on projects," he asked. "The handful of people who were exploiting the country’s wealth are standing behind the attacks on the Assembly," Saadoun stressed. "Our responsibility now is to continue to face up to those people because we simply harmed their interests," he said, but warned that the issue is not simple.
Speaking at the rally, veteran liberal politician and former MP Ahmad Al-Khateeb also blasted the government and Islamic groupings whom he accused of undermining freedom of speech and liberties in the country.
Khateeb strongly lashed at the government for arresting a number of candidates for criticizing the government and the ruling family. He said that in Kuwait there is no opposition "because the government is the real opposition for being against the constitution, the law, planning and the interests of the people". Khateeb said that Kuwait is at a crucial crossroads. "We are at a very crucial historical moment. Either we succeed to protect the country or we fail and risk destroying Kuwait".
Meanwhile, Kuwaiti women said they were confident that this year’s election will see the success of a number of female candidates after their strong performance in the past two elections. "I am convinced that the women path to the National Assembly is paved … Now we are contesting our third election more determined, optimistic and highly aware more than any time before," candidate Maasouma Al-Mubarak told a symposium for women candidates hosted by the Lawyers Association.
Mubarak made history in 2005 by becoming the first Kuwaiti female to be appointed a minister after Kuwaiti women secured full political rights. Kuwaiti women unsuccessfully contested the previous two elections, but a number of candidates made strong showings. Aseel Al-Awadhi came in 11th position, just behind the first 10 winners in her first try in the third constituency.
Thekra Al-Rasheedi secured 2,200 votes in the predominantly tribal fourth constituency.
I am running in the election in order to achieve the sweet dream of reaching the green seat," Mubarak said in reference to the color of the Assembly’s seats. Speaking at the symposium, Rasheedi said that she felt that voters’ acceptance of women candidates this time is much more than last year. "Last year, it was difficult to visit (all-men) diwaniyas. This year, they are inviting me and I really don’t have the time to accept all the invitations," she said.
In a related development, the public prosecution yesterday released former MP Waleed Al-Tabtabae without bail after interrogating him on charges that he criticized the ruling family, which he denied. The interrogation was made on the basis of a complaint filed by lawyer Sheikha Fawzia Al-Sabah, a member of the ruling family. Sheikha Fawziya, who has already sued former Islamist MPs Khaled Al-Sultan and Mohammad Hayef, yesterday filed a new complaint against former liberal MP Marzouk Al-Ghanem over the same charge.
