Petrostate Crown Prince Nominee Is 83 Years Old
(Bloomberg) -- Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has been chosen by Kuwait’s new emir to serve as crown prince, a pick that bucks the trend in other Gulf Arab states to start shifting power into younger hands.
The selection of the octogenarian Sheikh Mishaal, half brother of the current emir and his recently deceased predecessor, sends the strongest signal yet that stability and continuity are the highest priorities of the new ruler, the 83-year-old Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The nomination now needs the endorsement of a simple majority of parliament, expected on Thursday.
Sheikh Mishaal has never held any political post but has been a prominent member of the ruling family for two decades, serving since 2004 as deputy chief of the National Guard. He was close to the late emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, accompanying him to the U.S. in July for post-operative treatment.
Sheikh Sabah, who was 91, died on Sept. 29.
The choice of Sheikh Mishaal, a member of Kuwait’s old guard, as the country’s future ruler contrasts with appointments in the neighboring states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Oman, where a younger generation of royals are in the pipeline to take over.
But while traditionally the role of crown prince is largely ceremonial, Sheikh Mishaal has been an active figure behind the scenes, and he may prefer to assume a more engaged role.
Kuwait, one of the world’s wealthiest countries, is currently in the throes of a financial crisis triggered by the drop in oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, and made worse by political wrangling.
The Kuwaiti political system is freer than others in the Gulf, with an elected parliament that often challenges the government. The emir, however, must approve all laws.
© 2020 Bloomberg L.P.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.
- Gunvor CEO Sees Russian Refining Capacity Taking Hit from Drone Strikes
- These Factors Helped Brent Oil Price Break Above $85
- Sinopec Engineering Posts Higher Annual Petrochemicals Revenue
- Imperial Pipeline in Winnipeg Goes Offline for Three Months
- Gaz System to Acquire Gas Storage Poland
- Subsea7 Secures Contract to Service Woodside's Trion
- Adnoc Inks Supply Deal for Ruwais LNG Project with Germany's SEFE
- EIA Boosts USA Crude Oil Production Forecasts
- TotalEnergies to Acquire TLCS Eyeing Bayou Bend CCS Project
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- EIA Drops 2024 Henry Hub Gas Price Forecast
- EIA and Standard Chartered Offer Up Latest Oil Price Predictions
- Red Sea Region Sees Another Watershed Incident
- Chevron Oil Project in Kazakhstan to Cost $48.5B
- OPEC Voices Encouragement after IEA Affirms Support for Oil Security
- Biden Govt Bares Strategy for Freight Charging, Hydrogen Fueling Infra
- Rystad Looks at the Buzz Around White Hydrogen
- Ukraine Hits Third Russian Refinery In Escalating Drone Strikes
- VIDEO: Missile Attack Kills Crew Transiting Gulf of Aden
- Norway Regulator Blasts Proposal to Halt New Oil and Gas Permits
- Chinese Mega Company Makes Major Oilfield Discovery
- What Is the Biggest Risk to Offshore Oil and Gas Personnel in 2024?
- Is Peak Oil Demand Close?
- Vessel Sinks in Red Sea After Missile Strike
- JP Morgan, Standard Chartered Reveal Latest Oil Price Forecasts
- Exxon Rights in Stabroek Do Not Apply to Hess Merger with Chevron: Hess
- Rystad Forecasts Net Production of Top Permian Producers in 2024
- Analysts Reveal Latest Oil Price Outlook Following OPEC+ Cut Extension