By Mousa Ahmad
KUWAIT, Dec 11 (KUNA) -- Following is a report presenting a chronology of the 35 governments in the history of political action in Kuwait: Governments under the late Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah: The first government was called the (Transitional Government) where it was formed on January 17, 1962 during era of the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who headed the government at the same time. It was made up of 14 ministers carrying ministerial portfolios in addition to 3 ministers who were appointed members of the Constituent Assembly. The aim was to establish a constitution for the country.
The second government was formed on 28 January 1963 headed by His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. It consisted of 15 ministers, including His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, who took over the post of Foreign Minister for the first time. This government had lasted until 5 December 1964.
The third government was formed on December 6, 1964 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and included 14 ministers, including four elected ministers. It was considered the shortest government in the history of Kuwaiti governments, which lasted 28 days. It ended on January 2, 1965 because it lacked the confidence of the National Assembly.
The fourth government was formed on January 3, 1965 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, which included 13 ministers, two of whom were elected and continued to function until the death of late Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem in November of the same year.
Governments under the late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah: After his late Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah assumed power in the country, the fifth government was formed on December 4, 1965 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, which included 13 ministers, including three ministers of the National Assembly. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah was appointed Minister of Finance and Oil in addition to Foreign Ministry. It continued until February 3, 1967, when the government submitted its resignation constitutionally after the National Assembly completed its legislative term in preparation for holding new parliamentary elections.
The sixth government was formed on February 4, 1967 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It included 14 ministers, including three ministers of the National Assembly. The government continued its full four-year term until February 1, 1971, when it submitted its resignation in accordance with the constitution.
The seventh government was formed on February 2, 1971, under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It included 13 ministers, including two deputies of the National Assembly, and continued its work until February 8, 1975, when it resigned following completion of the National Assembly of its legislative term.
The Eighth Government was formed on February 9, 1975 under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It included 15 ministers, including two deputies of the National Assembly. The government lasted only 19 months, ending on September 5, 1976, following an Amiri decree in August of the same year dissolving the National Assembly Unconstitutionally as a result of the worsening relationship between the National Assembly and the Government.
The ninth government was formed during the dissolution of the National Assembly on September 6, 1976 and included 18 ministers headed by His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. And due to the death of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah in December 1978 and the assumption of His Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah of office in the country, the government's work ended on 15 February 1978.
Governments under the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah: The tenth government began its functions on 16 February 1978 headed by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, which included 18 ministers and lasted until March 3, 1981, where the government resigned constitutionally after the return of parliamentary life to Kuwait.
The 11th government was formed on March 4, 1981 headed by His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. It included 15 ministers, including one parliament member, and completed its constitutional term of four years until March 2, 1985. The government submitted its resignation in preparation for holding the new National Assembly elections.
The 12th government was formed on March 3, 1985 headed by His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. It included 15 ministers, including two members of the National Assembly. The government lasted only 16 months. The relationship between the legislative and executive branches led to the dissolution of the National Assembly (2nd unconstitutional dissolution) In 1986, which prompted the government to resign on July 11, 1986.
The 13th government was formed on July 12, 1986 under the chairmanship of His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. It included 21 ministers and five new ministries were established. The government continued its work until June 19, 1990. The government submitted its resignation following elections of the National Council and formation of the new council.
The Fourteenth Government was formed on June 20, 1990 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah which included 22 ministers. Despite the exposure of Kuwait to the plight of the brutal Iraqi invasion in August of the same year, this government continued to do its work from the city of Taif in Saudi Arabia until the liberation. The government submitted its resignation on 19 April 1991 in preparation for the start of the reconstruction phase.
The 15th government (the first government after liberation), or the so-called government of reconstruction, was formed on April 20, 1991 under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah. It included 20 ministers, excluding His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It continued its function until October 16, 1992, when it submitted its resignation in preparation for the return of working with the constitution and the return of parliamentary life represented by new parliamentary elections.
The 16th government was for4med on 17 October 1992 headed his Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah and included 15 ministers and six MPs. His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah returned to the ministerial formation as First deputy premier and foreign minister. The government completed its constitutional term of four years and resigned on 14 October 1996.
The 17th government was formed on 15 October 1996 headed by His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and included 14 ministers and four MPs. It resigned on 21 March 1998 following disputes between the two branches as three MPs submitted a grilling to then Information Minister late Sheikh Saud Al-Naser Al-Sabah followed a motion of no confidence.
The 18th government was formed on 22 March 1998 headed by His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and included 14 ministers and three MPs. The government lasted only 15 months and resigned on 12 July 1999 following an Amiri decree to dissolve the National Assembly following a dispute between the two branches because of a grilling request submitted against then Minister of Awqaf and Justice Ahmad Al-Kulaib.
The 19th government was formed on 13 July 1999 headed by His Highness Sheikh Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah and included 15 ministers and one MP. The government submitted its resignation on January 29 2001 as a result of a dispute between the two branches.
The 20th governme