The constitutional court in Kuwait has annulled the results of Kuwait’s February parliamentary elections and reinstated the previously dissolved National Assembly, deepening the long running political crisis in the Gulf state.

Opposition blocs had won a majority in parliament in the 2 February elections, after the previous parliament had been dissolved at the end of 2011. They have been pushing for greater inclusion in the government.

A number of parliamentarians from the previous assembly have already submitted their resignation and some have threatened a return to street protests.

Parliament has been at loggerheads with the government and has spent the past four months attempting to bring cabinet ministers before them for questioning over corruption and the country’s lack of economic development. Ministers have repeatedly bemoaned the government’s inability to counter the grilling motions.

The move follows a decision by the Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah on 19 June to suspend the national assembly for one month.

Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber al-Mubarak al-Sabah had been expected to submit his government’s resignation to the emir, according to local media, or to reshuffle the existing posts.

The constant bickering between the opposition and government has left Kuwait unable to push ahead with major infrastructure schemes and economic reform.