LOC16:21
13:21 GMT
KUWAIT, July 23 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Jassem
Mohammad Al-Kharafi said on Monday that Kuwait cannot take anymore instability
in the constitutional situation, calling on the government in coordination
with the Constitutional Court to revise well constitutional measures to be
taken, "so as not to fall into the same mistake."
Al-Kharafi said in a press conference that "once the government has taken
oath today in front of His Highness the Amir, I will send an invitation for a
National Assembly session to convene on July 31 where the current government
will be represented and present".
He added that in the event of a quorum, the government will carry out its
constitutional role and take oath in front of the parliament, whereas in the
event of lack of a quorum, the session will be postponed for a week.
He added that in the absence of quorum for the deferred session, "I will
refer the matter to His Highness the Amir to take what he sees as appropriate
in this regard."
He explained that the action taken by the chairmanship of the parliament is
to ensure the application of the constitutional aspect and respect for the
opinion of the Constitutional Court, expressing at the same time wishes that
the government examine with regard to constitutional procedures required, and
what was raised on the unconstitutionality of the current situation "so as not
to fall into the banned again".
He said that the government is seeking to study this issue, "and I hope it
continue in these proceedings because Kuwait does not bear the instability of
the constitutional situation which we are going through now."
He said that to make sure this crisis is not repeated, constitutional
democracy and procedures must be done in coordination with the Constitutional
Court.
Al-Kharafi repeated his call to the government to continue to pursue the
issue of constitutional procedures, calling for everyone to ignore opinions
made by unqualified persons in this regard.
And whether the decree to change the electoral constituencies applies to it
a decree of necessity, Al-Kharafi explained that the decree of necessity "is
not new, including changing the constituencies," recalling the parliament of
1981 when "we came to the 25 constituencies and there was confusion about it
and finally was adopted, saying such matter is a constitutional right to HH
the Amir who alone has the decision in this respect.
He added: "We have MPs who now oppose considering changing the electoral
decree as a decree of necessity and they had participated in the parliament of
1981 and then in different parliamentary terms", saying that "It is not
uncommon."
And on the responsibility of the government to issue a decree of necessity,
Al-Kharafi said that this decree must be issued by the government and there
must also be coordination between the government and His Highness the Amir,
referring to the responsibility borne by His Highness the Prime Minister in
the event to call for elections by decrees that may be declared should they
become unconstitutional where HH the Premier is to blame.
Asked whether the existing parliament of 2009 has the right to issue a
decree changing the electoral constituencies, Al-Kharafi explained that "it
could do so if it continues," questioning whether the current parliament will
complete its term and how long would it continue.
He said that in spite of the constitutionality of the current situation and
the constitutional measures taken and the legitimacy of the parliament of
2009, there are unnatural circumstances surrounding the subject, as there are
who protested against the dissolution and there are those who object its
return, noting that if proper constitutional procedures are not taken, the
next parliament may not last for more than a month.
And whether the modified constituencies will lead to weakening some
segments of the society and strengthening of others, Al-Kharafi said he was
not authorized to talk about these measures.
He called for ensuring harmony and love between the Kuwaitis and not to
allow anyone to stir discord which "might give the impression that we are a
fragmented society."
On the subject of Justice, he stressed keenness of the Constitutional Court
that there is justice, pointing out that the court is not keen to weaken a
segment of the society and strengthen the other, but would ensure equal
distribution of fair numbers of voters. (end)
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