Kuwait - The New Parliament.

Analysts said the May 16 election was a vote for change after combative parliaments had locked horns with the government but failed to deliver economic reform. Four women were voted into the 50-member NA which saw an unusually high turn-over of representatives. Kuwait, which has the most developed democratic system of the Gulf region, allowed women to stand and vote in 2005. But they failed to win any seats in the previous two elections, which were triggered by spats between NA and the government. Ghanem al-Najjar, a lecturer in political science at Kuwait University said of the May 16 results. "People were not happy with the system and it seems like a punishment for all of parliament".

In contrast to its Gulf neighbours, where governments can more easily drive reforms past more supine advisory bodies, Kuwait's NA can stymie changes and question ministers. But the country's democratic drive has led to repeated political crises. Voters have grown tired of what they see as MP grand-standing translating into sclerosis. The vocal Islamists, who vacillate between support for and opposition to the government, performed poorly, while Shi'ite candidates gained ground.

Abdullah al-Shayji, professor of international relations and head of the American Studies Unit at Kuwait University wrote in Gulf News of May 25: "[O]ver the past 50 years Kuwait has been a shining example of a tiny entity that harnesses its oil wealth to survive in a hostile environment, and uses its wealth to benefit both its own, small population and - through development projects - those of less fortunate countries While there has been continued confrontation, bickering and animosity between thethe legislature and the executive, there has also been great hope and elation over the election of four women, the retreat of organised political groups and the emergence of a calmer parliament, with exuberance and optimism replacing pessimism in the country

"The prime minister had formed five cabinets, but each had been unable to stave off constant challenges from the parliament. His last cabinet was the shortest lived, lasting only 64 days. Thankfully, Kuwaitis have voted for change, electing four women and 17 other new members of parliament. More than 40% of those elected have not previously served in the parliament. The voters punished various organised political parties, Islamists and liberals alike. But Kuwaiti voters returned most of the outspoken and hawkish members, who are blamed for the showdown with the government, thereby setting the stage for yet another fiery confrontation after the return of Shaikh Nasser

[The election of four females] represents a major leap for Kuwaiti democracy and a crowning achievement for the country's women, who have struggled for five decades for political recognition. The ripple effect in the region and beyond could be enormous. What made the achievement more special was that all four women were independent candidates. Women in the region generally make it in politics through some form of quota, because they are affiliated to dominant political parties or because of their lineage. But this was not the case here. On their way to victory, they beat veterans and established incumbents, who have been running and winning for decades. Even US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was elated, saying: There are signs of hope and progressthe people of Kuwait elected women to their parliament for the first time in history. This did not come easily or quickly It took a long struggle. But the election of four women this Saturday is a major step forward for Kuwait, the region, and I would argue, the world'.

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