چکیده:
This article analyses the evolution of the Islamist political associations and groups, both Shiites and Sunnis since the independence of Kuwait in 1962 to the last legislative elections which was held in 2016. It tries to assess the roles which the Islamist groups played in a relatively open political environment established by the constitution and the popular support these groups obtained along the interrupted electoral history in which the country witnessed.
It also assesses the transformations which the Sunni Islamist groups suffered from the institutionalized opposition role they played until the Arab Spring events to the more informal opposition style since then.
The article concludes by stating that this transformation negatively affected the popular support granted to the Islamists and hindered their influence in the policy making process in Kuwait, losing the opportunity that the Arab Spring uprisings provided for them.
خلاصه ماشینی:
The dissolution of this assembly and the call for two consecutive elections in December 2012 and July 2013 – amidst massive street demonstrations somehow fueled by the Arab Spring- caused both groups to boycott the electoral processes and to change their opposition strategies toward the government, moving to an open confrontation that ended with several former members of the assembly in jail, such as the prominent and controversial Musalam al Barrak, who stands accused of having insulted the Amir.
1 These two elections were also held amidst the regional turmoil provoked by the victory and fall of Mohamad Morsi in Egypt and the Syrian war, that influenced to some extent the Kuwaiti Islamists political behavior, moreover since the neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and United Arab Emirates took direct measures banning MB or Salafist groups activities.
”14 Thus, the ICM moved its priority to the consolidation of an opposition bloc, trying to negotiate between Salafists and Shi’a Islamists common proposals, criticizing governmental corruption and demanding more democratic reforms, such as having a Prime Minister elected by the National Assembly, a single electoral district to eliminate electoral gerrymandering and the legalization of political parties.
On the Shi’a Islamist camp, the NIA did not participate in the electoral boycott promoted by the opposition in 2012 as a result of the massive street protests, thereby benefitting in the December elections, obtaining five seats in the chamber out of five candidates nominated.