Kuwait's political showdowns intensified Monday as the government suspended parliament for a month over an escalating feud with Islamist-led opposition lawmakers seeking a greater voice in the Gulf nation's affairs.

The suspension follows the resignations of two Cabinet ministers in less than a month under pressure from the opposition bloc, which includes conservative Islamist figures and their allies pushing for a larger share of seats in the government controlled by Kuwait's Western-backed ruling family.

It's unclear whether the parliament suspension could be a step toward a full-scale government resignation and new elections. It reflects the deep frustration by the country's rulers at the political stalemate, which has diverted attention from economic development proposals and other issues, such as simmering labor unrest in OPEC's fourth-largest oil exporter.

Kuwait has the Gulf's most politically independent parliament.