Kuwait held snap elections in September 2022, more than two years earlier than was constitutionally required. Former Speaker Ahmad Al-Saadoun, who had boycotted elections since 2012, stood for election in 2022. Opposition candidates took nearly 60% of the 50 seats at stake. Only 23 elected members of the outgoing legislature retained their seats. For the first time in Kuwaiti parliamentary electoral history, two candidates won seats despite being in jail. The Islamic Constitutional Movement (Hadas, the Muslim Brotherhood group in Kuwait) won five seats. Two women were elected, up from none in 2020.

Since 2021, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah has been fulfilling most of the duties of the ruling Emir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. On 5 October 2022, the Crown Prince therefore re-appointed the Emir’s son, Ahmad Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, as the Prime Minister. On 17 October, the Crown Prince swore in the 16 members of the new Cabinet (see note). On 18 October, the newly elected National Assembly held its first session and elected Mr. Ahmad Al-Saadoun as its Speaker. He had previously served in that post in 1985, 1992 and 1996.

Early elections in 2022 followed a standoff between the outgoing legislature (elected in 2020) and the Cabinet. On 2 August, the Crown Prince dissolved Parliament in an attempt to end the political stalemate. On 28 August, he called snap elections for 29 September.

Note:
Cabinet ministers who have not been elected as members of the National Assembly are considered ex officio members. They can vote in the legislature, except in votes of confidence.