Michael Herb

Political scientist. Among other things, I maintain a database on Kuwaiti election results and governments.

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

A new Washington Post editorial deploring the suspension of the Kuwaiti parliament, and criticizing the Biden administration for its truly inadequate response when asked about it: "we are aware..." https://t.co/VhHn25CC2G

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

Solid data showing that Kuwaitis support democracy, despite frustration with the NA.
"...an overwhelming majority perceive the “ability to freely choose political leaders in elections” to be a very essential pillar of democracy or human dignity."
@yureenoh

[Kristin Diwan @kdiwaniya]

Incredibly valuable survey on Kuwait attitudes toward democracy conducted Feb-Mar just prior to parliamentary suspension:

"While respondents convey disillusionment w/the parliament, they simultaneously underscore the significance of electoral processes."

https://t.co/0CHuvbyy1u

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

@SamCA3_ @courtneyfreer Yes, that makes it even more surprising.

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

The Gulf monarchies have been moving to father-son successions. But Kuwait's new crown prince, Sabah al-Khaled, is the emir's second cousin (in the male line).

[كونا KUNA @kuna_ar]

أمر أميري بتزكية الشيخ صباح خالد الحمد المبارك الصباح ولياً للعهد

#كونا #الكويت

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

@YomSean I think a sigh of relief is in order. If the new emir wanted to remake Kuwait along the lines of other more autocratic Gulf states, a lateral succession is not what we would expect. Nor would we necessarily expect a CP with so much experience with the National Assembly.

[Bader Al-Saif بدر السيف @bmalsaif]

Did you know #Kuwait holding elections today even after suspension of NA-related articles in the constitution on May 10?

By-elections for 2 seats in Municipal Council

No elections fatigue in our playbook! Nor is letting go of rights preserved in constit. despite NA suspension.

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

An order for the arrest of a former MP, @AnwarAlFicker, for statements he made while campaigning. The statements "touched on the authority of the emir" ("التدخل بصلاحيات الأمير")

«النيابة» تأمر بضبط وإحضار النائب السابق أنور الفكر https://t.co/6tLvrzlufK

[Sean Yom seanyom.bsky.social @YomSean]

More words here re: Kuwait alongside @kdiwaniya @bmalsaif

https://t.co/3YjXQQiTQV

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

There was no boycott: even citizens fed up with the NA should have voted, if only because the emir very clearly told everyone to go vote and that they couldn't blame anyone else for the results if they did not vote.

(All quotes are approximate.) 7/7
https://t.co/3Jkh0CqXX2

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

Three days after the suspension of the Kuwaiti constitution some former MPs have posted statements in support (more or less) of the suspension:
@AlFadhelAhmad
@MajidMusaad (with enthusiasm)
@Jenan_bushehri
@SaadAlkhanfor

Fahad Masoud reposted a statement by ... 1/

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

I do not know of a better way, short of a survey, to get a sense of the mood in Kuwait. Kuwaitis just last month elected these MPs in fair elections. The MPs hold diverse opinions on many issues. 6/

[Gulf Int'l Forum @GulfIntlForum]

Join us TOMORROW at 11 AM ET for a virtual panel on #Kuwait's future without a parliament.

Featured speakers: Ambassador @PNT_Gulf, Dr. @courtneyfreer, and Dr. @mike_herb.

For more info and to RSVP:
https://t.co/XXylZIhQtD

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

Great analysis as usual, especially on the reasons for so few members of the ruling family in the new government.

[Bader Al-Saif بدر السيف @bmalsaif]

#Kuwait has a new government. With specter of parliament out of its way (for now), it’ll last longer than its predecessors.

4 new ministers = 30% change ratio

Re-setup, this minor change masks curious shifts & gaps. How so?

Re-policy, will this gov deliver a New Kuw?

A 🧵

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

So one would have expected a clean slate of new ministers charged with solving Kuwait's administrative problems. Maybe this is that cabinet, but the appointment feels hurried and not part of a larger strategy. 3/3

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

There are very, very high expectations for the new Kuwaiti government: many blame the deadlock between the National Assembly and the govt for Kuwait's administrative dysfunction. Without the NA, much is now expected of the new government. 1/

[Michael Herb @mike_herb]

It had been hard to recruit new ministers under the threat of interpellation and with so much turnover that a minister could not reasonably expect to serve for long enough to accomplish much before being replaced. 2/