Constitution of Kuwait (1962)

The Gulf standard bearer of an elected parliament with real teeth.

Overview

Promulgated November 11, 1962, Kuwaits constitution creates a constitutional monarchy with an elected National Assembly of fifty members with genuine legislative power, including the right to question ministers and withdraw confidence, rare in the region. It declares Kuwait an Arab state with Islam as religion and sharia as a main source of legislation. The assembly has been dissolved repeatedly, most recently in 2023 2024 cycle, and courts have voided elections. The balance between the Sabah familys governments and a robust elected opposition makes Kuwait the Gulfs central case of constitutional contestation within monarchy.