Kuwait's emir urges unity amid growing dissatisfaction with austerity
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah has called for unity amid growing public dissatisfaction against austerity policies in the oil-rich Persian Gulf country.
Addressing the 50-member legislature on Sunday during the inauguration ceremony of the National Assembly's 15th Legislative Term, the 87-year-old emir of Kuwait said maintaining the kingdom's security, keeping its citizens satisfied and providing a dignified future for next generations were "colossal challenges" waiting to be tackled by the new parliament.
The monarch warned that there were forces "seeking to ignite sedition and break the national unity," adding that "watchful eyes" would not allow Kuwait's security to be at risk.
A sharp drop in state revenue due to lower oil prices over the past two years is the second important challenge facing the nation, he said, adding that government austerity measures were the solution to the serious issue facing the nation.
The monarch said "cutting public spending through careful measures to fix the imbalance in the state budget... has become inevitable."
Kuwait also plans to diversify economy beyond oil for future generations, he stated.
The comments come amid growing public dissatisfaction in the country triggered by the government’s decision to cut some benefits such as fuel subsidies.
Kuwait is currently grappling with a severe budget deficit as its oil income, which accounts for 95 percent of government revenue, has dropped by 60 percent over the past two years.
Opposition groups have managed to obtain nearly half of the seats in the parliament in snap elections of November 26.
The old assembly was dissolved by the emir amid a dispute between lawmakers and the government caused by parliamentary debates over fuel subsidies.
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