The Cabinet

Executive power in Kuwait is vested in the Cabinet or the Council of Ministers. It is headed by the Prime Minister, a position held traditionally by the Crown Prince. The Prime Minister is appointed through an Amiri Decree. The ministers of the Cabinet are appointed by the Amir on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. According to the Kuwaiti constitution, the number of ministers in a Cabinet must not exceed one-third the strength of the National Assembly. This number does not include the Head of the National Guard, the Amiri Diwan Affairs Minister, the Amir’s Advisor and the Chairman of the Audit Bureau.

The Cabinet controls the state institutions. It is responsible for the general policy of the government and its execution. Each minister in the Cabinet holds one or more portfolios. The Prime Minister and his ministers are accountable to the Amir and the National Assembly.

Besides executive powers, the Constitution grants the Cabinet authority to declare defensive war, proclaim martial law, promulgate law decrees when the National Assembly is not in session or its legislative term has expired, grant pardons, and issue executive and administrative regulations.

Kuwait’s New Government
as formed on May 28, 2008 by Decree No. 133/2008

Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohamed Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah
 

Name

Ministerial Functions

Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Alhamad Al Sabah

First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence

Dr. Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs

Faisal Al-Hajji

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs

Ahmed Baqer

Minister of Commerce and Industry and State Minister for National Assembly Affairs

Bader Al Duwilah 

 Minister of Social Affairs and Labour

Sheikh Jaber Khaled Jaber Al Sabah

Minister of Interior

Hussein Al Huraiti 

Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs

Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Sabah

 Minister of Information

Abdulrahman Al Ghuneim

Minister of Communications

Ali Al Barrak

Minister of Health

Dr. Fadhel Safar

Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipality Affairs

Mohammad Al-Olaim

Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity and Water

Mustafa Al Shemali

Minister of Finance

Dr. Mudhi Al-Humoud

Minister of State for Housing and Development Affairs

Nouriah Al-Sebih

Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education

Abdul Latif Al Roudan

Secretary General of the Council of Ministers