Gulf legislatures will fail to boost their authority

Significance

The functions, authorities and memberships of those bodies, however, vary widely. The development of each depended on the real or perceived threat of political opposition, the political history of the state and the preference of the ruling family. As they stand now, legislatures are important in understanding the balances of power across Gulf states and ways these might shift.

Impacts

• In Kuwait, the government may try to shape the electoral law to encourage a more quiescent parliament.
• Legislatures in Kuwait, Oman and Qatar will likely find it easier to take anti-Israeli positions, reflecting public opinion on the Gaza war.
• Washington is unlikely to press the Gulf countries on political freedoms and will prioritise economic and security ties.