Government and Politics of Kuwait

Government Type

nominal constitutional monarchy

Administrative Divisions

5 governorates (muhafazat, singular - muhafazah); Al Ahmadi, Al Farwaniyah, Al 'Asimah, Al Jahra', Hawalli

Legal System

civil law system with Islamic law significant in personal matters; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

adult males who have been naturalized for 30 years or more or have resided in Kuwait since before 1920 and their male descendants at age 21

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Kuwait dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: not specified

Executive Branch

chief of state: Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah (since 29 January 2006); Crown Prince NAWAF al-Ahmad al-Sabah head of government: Prime Minister NASIR al-Muhammad al-Ahmad al-Sabah (since 7 February 2006); First Deputy Prime Minister JABIR Mubarak al-Hamad al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006); Deputy Prime Ministers MUHAMMAD al-Sabah al-Salim al-Sabah (since 9 February 2006) and Muhammad Dhayfallah SHARAR (since 2003) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the amir elections: none; the amir is hereditary; prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the amir

Legislative Branch

unicameral National Assembly or Majlis al-Umma (50 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 6 July 2003 (next to be held in 2007) election results: percent of vote - NA; seats - Islamists 21, government supporters 14, liberals 3, independents 12; note - all cabinet ministers are also ex officio members of the National Assembly

Judicial Branch

High Court of Appeal

Political Parties

none; formation of political parties is illegal

Head of State

Amir SABAH al-Ahmad al-Jabir al-Sabah

Head of Government

Prime Minister (acting) NASIR al-MUHAMMAD al-Ahmad al-Sabah

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister and approved by the Amir

Elections

none; the amir is hereditary; the amir appoints the prime minister and deputy prime ministers

Constitution

approved and promulgated 11 November 1962

Independence

19 June 1961 (from UK)

National Holiday

National Day, 25 February (1950)

International Organization Participation

ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, BDEAC, CAEU, FAO, G-77, GCC, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt (signatory), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, LAS, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNITAR, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador SALIM Abdallah al-Jabir al-Sabah chancery: 2940 Tilden Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 966-0702 FAX: [1] (202) 364-2868

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard LEBARON embassy: Bayan 36302, Area 14, Al-Masjed Al-Aqsa Street (near the Bayan palace), Kuwait City mailing address: P. O. Box 77 Safat 13001 Kuwait; or PSC 1280 APO AE 09880-9000 telephone: [965] 259-1001, 259-1002 FAX: [965] 259-1438, 538-0282

Capital City

Kuwait City

Location

29 22 N, 47 58 E

Time Difference

UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC,during Standard Time)

History

the name derives from Arabic "al-Kuwayt" a diminutive of "kut" meaning "fortress," possibly a reference to a small castle built on the current location of Kuwait City by the Beni Khaled tribe in the 17th century

U.S. Embassy Kuwait Al-Masjid Al-Aqsa Street, Block 6, Plot 14, Bayan, Kuwait Telephone: [965] 2259-1001 or 2259-1002 Emergency after-hours telephone: [965] 2259-1001 Facsimile: [965] 2259-1438 Email: KuwaitACS@state.gov The U.S. Embassy is open Sunday through Thursday, except on U.S. or local holidays.

Military Branches

Kuwaiti Land Forces (KLF), Kuwaiti Navy, Kuwaiti Air Force (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Kuwaitiya; includes Kuwaiti Air Defense Force, KADF), Kuwaiti National Guard (KNG)

Service Age and Obligation

17-21 years of age for voluntary military service; conscription suspended