Kuwait has had a parliamentary system since 1962. Power remains concentrated in the hands of the Al-Sabah family, which has ruled Kuwait for 250 years.
The deputies have broad prerogatives, not hesitating to hold to account ministers accused of mismanagement or even corruption. Political parties are neither banned nor legally recognized, but many groups, including Sunni Islamists, act as political formations and try to extract compromises. An electoral fatigue reflected in the low number of registered candidates, the lowest for legislative elections in 20 years.