Kuwait formally dissolved their parliament in a decree on 2 August, under the approval of Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Back in June, both the elected assembly and the government blocked fiscal reform, during a period of conflict between the two. This was eventually nullified by al-Sabah, who called for early elections and the dissolution of the national parliament.

During a televised speech, the crown prince said that the domestic political front of the country was being “torn by disagreement and personal interests” to its own detriment.

Kuwait has typically depended on cooperation between its parliament – being the Gulf’s oldest legislature – and its government.

According to political experts, the opposition was expected to have mass support, as indicated by recent polls, without alterations to electoral constituencies.

This decision to dissolve the parliament follows a period during which several opposition members of parliament demanded Sheikh Meshal name a new prime minister to replace the caretaker administration.

Opposition member of parliament Ahmad al-Azmi said: “Our hands as parliamentarians have been tied for two years.”

Back in May, Emir Sheikh Nawaf accepted the government’s resignation for the third time in less than six months.

Cabinet member were formally tasked with continuing in a caretaker capacity, meaning they can only tend to urgent matters.

In early April, Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah handed in his Cabinet resignation, during what can be considered the latest episode of a lengthy political feud that has held back economic reform in the Gulf country.

Five months earlier, on 14 November, Emir Al-Sabah had issued a decree requesting the government to serve as a caretaker administration until a new cabinet is formed.

The embattled Kuwaiti prime minister has led four governments in little more than two years. His tenure has been plagued by increased opposition in parliament and corruption scandals, some allegedly involving high-ranking officials.

Despite Kuwait being against the formation of political parties, it has given its legislature more influence in comparison to other Gulf monarchies.