<article><p class="lead">Kuwait's governing cabinet resigned yesterday, just weeks after its latest parliamentary elections, continuing the country's cycle of political crises that has held up key decisions and infrastructure developments. </p><p>The resignation comes after a number of parliamentarians filed a request to question the prime minister Sheikh Sabah al-Sabah on 5 January. Sheikh Sabah, who has been prime minister since late 2019, must now submit the government's resignation to Kuwait's emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah for approval before a new cabinet can be formed.</p><p>"As expected, ministers put their resignation forward to the PM paving the way for the government's resignation. Kuwait thrives on being in crisis mode with no end to executive legislature tensions," said the assistant professor of history at Kuwait University Bader al-Saif.</p><p>Kuwait has seen a recurring deadlock between the executive and legislative branches, leading to seven dissolutions of parliament, the resignation of 14 governments and the appointment of three prime ministers in 14 years. This weighed on government planning, not least in the crucially important oil sector, with the oil minister changing 13 times in 16 years.</p><p>The Kuwaiti <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2168702">prime minister</a> announced the latest cabinet on 14 December, including the appointment of Mohammed Abdul Latif al-Fares who took over the oil ministry portfolio, the lifeblood of the economy, as well as the power and water sectors. He faced numerous challenges, from managing Kuwait's relationship with the Opec+ alliance to pushing ahead with the development of strategic oil projects.</p><p>Al-Fares took over the oil ministry from Khaled al-Fadhel, who lasted nearly two years in office. This is longer than his three most recent predecessors, who each managed only 12 months.</p><p class="bylines">By Adal Mirza</p></article>
