Kuwaiti parliamentary speaker hits back at critics

Kuwait’s National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanim has vowed to fight those who intend to “burn down the country”, in an apparent response to criticism that he is “weak”.

Al-Ghanim has been accused of failing to protect Kuwaiti citizens and of siding against them by being a rubber stamp for the government which passed a number of bills without any resistance or accountability.

The minister said he was the target of a “gang that has been plotting to take over the government.” He then proceeded to accuse two senior members of the ruling family of devising the “gang”.

“The parliament endorsed 114 laws, the highest figure since 1963, and the housing situation improved drastically allowing the construction of 65,000 new homes. The waiting period to get a house from the government was reduced from 10 to four years,” he said.

Kuwaiti parliamentary elections are due to take place on 26 November. Elections are being held after the Kuwaiti Emir dissolved parliament for the sixth time since 2006.