Opposition wins nearly half of parliament in Kuwait poll

In Kuwait, Opposition groups and their allies have won nearly half seats for the 50-seat Parliament, election authority has announced the official results yesterday. The opposition and its allies won 24 seats. Safaa al-Hashem is the only woman to win one of the 50 seats.

The liberal candidate has served in previous parliaments, and was one of 15 women who ran for seats. A new



Cabinet is now expected to be formed within a week. The 15-seat Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minster, who in turn is appointed by the emir.

Kuwaitis voted on Saturday for representatives in the oil-rich country's 50-member parliament, the most empowered among the Gulf Arab states. Around 30 opposition figures, out of 300 candidates, contested the election of Parliament.