Al-Sadoun elected Kuwaiti Speaker

Veteran opposition member Ahmad Al-Sadoun has been appointed Speaker of the new Kuwaiti National Assembly on Wednesday, following the legislative elections where the opposition, led by Islamists, won a great share. "I would like to express gratitude to all who have assigned me to act as speaker and all who have chosen to keep an MP. I pray God that he will keep me able to carry out this responsibility," he said. The legislative authority shall carry out its role, in keeping an eye on the government's performance, he underlined. He also commended the past legislative term's achievements, which, he said, succeeded in implementing several laws. MP Ahmad Al-Sadoun was earlier elected by a majority vote as the Speaker of Kuwait's National Assembly in the 14th legislative term's first session. He gained 26 out of 38 votes, sweeping aside the other contender, MP Mohammad Al-Sager, who ran for the Liberal movement. The new speaker will carry out his role for the remainder of the legislative term's duration. Al-Sadoun, 77, was voted for the National Assembly on many occasions. He was elected speaker in the sixth, seventh and eighth legislative terms. The opposition won 34 out of 50 seats in the early legislative elections, which were held on February 2.