The Kuwaiti government easily passed Wednesday one of three obstacles during a marathon session to discuss three interrogation requests.
While Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak survived the questioning, both the government and the speaker of the National Assembly seemed satisfied with the outcome of the vote of confidence for Oil and Electricity Minister Bakheet al-Rashidi and Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hind al-Sabeeh on May 10.
Following a 24-hour marathon session, which witnessed the discussion of three government-directed interrogations, 10 lawmakers filed a no-confidence motion against Rashidi and Sabeeh.
Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq al-Ghanim said that the two ministers would not resign during next week’s session.
Ghanim told reporters the first no-confidence request was submitted by MPs Abdul Wahab al-Babtain and Omar al-Tabtabaei against Rashidi.
A no-confidence motion has been filed against the minister and the voting on the motion will take place during Thursday’s session on May 10, Ghanim added.
He said that if a request is submitted for the formation of a commission of inquiry in this regard, then the issue will be voted on at the same session.
Meanwhile, Rashidi told the press on Wednesday that he will continue working to make oil prices stable. He said he has no intention of resigning before the vote of confidence session.
The second request was filed by MP Hamdan Azemi against the Prime Minister, and the government submitted a request for a closed-door session followed by the disciplinary procedures, which were announced at the session and approved by a majority of MPs present.
Ghanim said that following the session, no request for non-cooperation was filed against the premier.
The third request, however, was submitted by MP Saleh Ashour against Sabeeh.
In a related issue, Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah sent a cable to the premier in which he praised his excellent democratic practice and distinguished performance on the discussion sessions during the interrogations.
He also praised the MPs for showing the spirit of responsibility and sound parliamentary practice within the framework of their constitutional rights.
