Thousands in Kuwait Protest Controversial Election Law

Photo Credit: Yasser Al-Zayyat

Supporting media reports from Kuwait indicate that as many as 10,000 people rallied Monday in protest of possible amendments to the controversial proposed election law, and calling for the dissolution of the recently reinstated 2009 parliament. However, others put the numbers of those who attended the rally in Kuwait City around 1,500. According to the Gulf Times, “The discrepancy reflects the deep sense of social and political unease prevailing in Kuwait over controversial constitutional and election issues.”

The rally, which was organized by the “Nahaj” group with the slogan “The People have the Sovereignty,” was attended by MPs from the 2009 and the annulled 2012 Assemblies, prominent political figures, and youth activists. Member of the annulled 2012 Assembly Bader Al-Dahoum said, “We reject stealing of the people’s will,” adding that “this government will not be left alone” and described the Irada square as the square of pride and dignity.”

Meanwhile, Badrya Darwish reported on a U.N. study that addresses global costs and standard of living. According to the report, an avarage family in Kuwait with five children needs and income of KD 1,000 to live above the poverty line. Darwish reports, however, that most expats within Kuwait live below this income bracket, and that unlike Kuwaitis, whose housing, education, and health expenses are covered by the state, most expats must use “ this meager salary they have to pay everything from A to Z.” She writes, “By the way, we are talking about salaries of KD 1,000 and a bit less. I assure you that 50 percent of expats in Kuwait do not even get a KD 600 salary. How do these people manage only God knows.”