However, the new poll, due to be held on 17 May, is unlikely to resolve the political impasse the state has suffered over the past five years. Indeed, it may even make the situation worse.

The vote will be the first held under the new constituencies law, which enables voting for candidates from five electoral districts rather than 25. This should ensure that the impact of tribal influences as well as vote buying is reduced, and that MPs are elected on their policies and not their wealth.

The hope is this will create a better parliamentarian, who votes for legislation based on informed opinion not populist pandering - such as a bill in 2007 that demanded the state pay off all commercial loans owed by locals.

Yet, more realistically, this will not be the case. The elections are likely to result in greater numbers of opposition Islamist MPs, and instead of having the support of a sizeable minority of legislators, the government could find itself with barely any support.

If it found it tough going before, it may find it considerably harder in future.

Special Report: Kuwait - Index of all stories

• Governance: The need for stability in Kuwait
  The resignation of the Kuwaiti cabinet in mid-March highlights the political rift in the country that is holding back economic progress

• Economy: Wealth masks economic stagnation
  With a record budgetary surplus of almost $35bn expected this year, Kuwait is one of the world’s richest countries. But its inflexible, state-controlled economy risks undermining this success

• Construction: A welcome development to Kuwait’s BOT law
  Build-operate-transfer legislation is revised in a bid to encourage more private investment

• Improving Transport: Kuwait City metro network
  Establishing a transport network that connects with projects such as the 1,000-kilometre, $2.5bn GCC railway are essential if Kuwait is to reposition itself as a commercial hub

• Project update: City of Silk
  The $58bn real estate project gets under way following approval in late 2007

• Commentary: Political stability must be first step
  International investors will continue to look elsewhere until Kuwait’s politicians find a way to cooperate