Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has announced that the country’s parliament will be dissolved ahead of planned general elections.

In a speech, he said: “We have decided to invoke the constitution, dissolve the National Assembly, and call for general elections in the coming months."

He added: “To get out of the current political situation, with all its differences and conflicts, and give priority to personal interests and behaviours that threaten national unity, based on our historical and national responsibility before God, we have decided to resort to the people.”

The crown prince urged the people of Kuwait to elect a new house that would be able to maintain state stability.

The latest announcement comes after a long period of talks aimed at forming a new government.

In May, Kuwait’s crown prince accepted the government’s resignation, more than a month after the request to resign was submitted.

At the same time, he issued a decree asking the current government to stay on in a caretaker role.

The government submitted its request to resign on 5 April 2022.

The resignation came ahead of a no-confidence motion vote scheduled for 6 April against the prime minister in parliament amid a prolonged political feud that has hindered much-needed fiscal reforms in Kuwait.

Sheikh Sabah, who has been prime minister since 2019, has faced opposition from parliamentarians intent on questioning him on topics including corruption.

The latest government took power in December after resignations in January and November.

Sheikh Sabah was reappointed prime minister and tasked with forming a new government on 23 November.

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