Kuwaiti MP Abd Al-Rahman Al-Jeeran: We Should Give Up Democracy in Favor of Economic Reforms

Interviewed by the Kuwaiti "Al-Qabas" newspaper, MP Abd Al-Rahman Al-Jeeran said: "If democracy prevents us from accomplishing [economic] projects, we had better give it up." His remarks were posted on the newspaper's website on May 2, 2016, along with the response of MP Mubarak Al-Haris, who said: "We should adhere to this democracy and develop it, rather than go back."

Following are excerpts

Abd Al-Rahman Al-Jeeran: I say loud and clear that we are ready to give up the excessive democracy, in order to unite the leadership and the different views, and get Kuwait past the bottleneck and reach economic prosperity. Let me reiterate: If democracy prevents us from accomplishing projects, we had better give it up. As an example, we have neighboring countries that managed to accomplish strategic projects and to reach economic prosperity. They lack nothing.

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An MP who says we cannot have [economic] reforms unless we give up democracy is not fulfilling his role. We reject this in principle and in practice. This country has been a democracy for decades, and we have surpassed all our neighboring countries. We should adhere to this democracy and develop it, rather than go back.

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