Salman's Generational Change in Saudi Arabia

Posted: 04/29/2015 | http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-hearst/saudi-arabias-royal-oppor_b_7172222.html

When the late King Abdullah appointed his half-brother, Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, as deputy crown prince last year, he added an unusual rider. The decree stated: "Nobody can change this decision". Well, his successor King Salman just has.
I wrote at the time of the decree: " There is nothing to stop Salman going to the Bay'ah either collectively or individually and reversing the decree in the event of the King's resignation, death or incapacitation." This is what happened in an early dawn decree on Wednesday.
This cabinet reshuffle proves beyond doubt that all power still resides in the king, and that one king can override the legacy of his predecessor. Institutional mechanisms like the Allegiance Council are but straws in the prevailing wind.
Salman has cleared out all but one of the last remaining supporters of the old regime, and completed the succession from one generation to another. Muqrin was not a powerful figure in his own right. He was placed there by Abdullah to keep the seat warm for his son Prince Meteb, who remains head of the National Guard and a minister.
How much longer, we will see. Some sources say that Salman is now seriously considering abolishing the National Guard ministry, which Abdullah latterly established to oversee the National Guard. This would bring it back into the fold of the defence ministry - which of course is headed by Salman's son Mohammed.http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-hearst/saudi-arabias-royal-oppor_b_7172222.html