Youth groups play key role in Kuwait elections

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwaiti youth groups buoyed by their success in helping to bring down the previous government and parliament are playing an active role in a general election to achieve their goals for change.

Youths inspired by the Arab Spring held protests that helped topple the former premier, dissolve a parliament accused of corruption and set the stage for Thursday's vote.

“We are actively taking part in the election campaign helping around 30 candidates who accept our ideas for comprehensive democratic reform,” said Abdullah al-Shallahi, a leading activist with the Fifth Fence youth group.

“Our goals go far beyond the election period. We want fundamental reforms including a constitutional monarchy, reforming the election law and legalising political parties,” Shallahi told AFP.

The Fifth Fence, which brings together activists from various ideologies and sects, was the first such group established after riot police beat a number of MPs at a rally in December 2010. Since then, several youth groups like Kafi, Youth for Change, September 16 Youths and others were created and are working in close coordination to press for reform and the fight against corruption. AFP