Kuwait’s New Emir Sworn In, Commits to “Democratic Approach”

Generational transition looms

Sheikh Nawaf, who has held high office for decades, takes over with Kuwait facing the repercussions of the coronavirus crisis, which triggered a sharp decline in oil prices and severe economic consequences for Gulf states.

The elder statesman, who was named heir apparent in 2006, served as defense minister when Iraqi troops rolled into the oil-rich emirate in 1990, and also as interior minister in the face of challenges from Islamist militants.

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Sheikh Nawaf is popular within the ruling Al-Sabah family and is reported to have been a consensus choice for ruler.

He also enjoys a reputation for modesty and has largely maintained a low profile.

Major policy changes are not expected during his reign, even after the Gulf underwent a seismic shift with Kuwait's neighbors, the UAE and Bahrain, opting to establish relations with Israel.

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Normalization with the Jewish state is highly unpopular among the Kuwaiti public, which largely supports the Arab world's historic position of demanding a resolution of the Palestinian cause before making diplomatic concessions to Israel.

Despite expectations of a smooth succession, there could be more spirited debate over who the new crown prince should be.

Kuwait's constitution stipulates that the ruler should be a descendant of the nation's founder, Mubarak al-Sabah, but the throne has alternated between the descendants of his sons, Salem and Jaber, for four decades.

Contestants for the newly vacated role of crown prince include Sheikh Sabah's son and former deputy prime minister Nasser Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah, a Kuwaiti political heavyweight.

"Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmed should be viewed more as a caretaker than as a watershed new leader," said Cinzia Bianco, a research fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

"Behind the scenes, however, younger princes would likely continue to compete to succeed him." 

(Writer & Editor: SL-DM/SLS/KIR, Agence France-Presse) 

Source: http://u.afp.com/3DrP