some journalists saw this as a first tentative step towards the introduction of democratic processes in the Kingdom, including the legalization of political parties. Other analysts of the Saudi political scene were more skeptical. Islamist candidates, often businessmen, did well, but in practice had little real power. In 2009, promised new elections and hopes for female suffrage in them were postponed for at least two years. On 15 February 2009, in a reshuffle King Abdullah removed Sheikh Ibrahim Bin Abdullah Al-Ghaith from his position as President of the Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. He also removed Sheikh Saleh al-Luhaidan as head of the Supreme Judicial Council and appointed the first female minister. In his first act as King, Salman removed Khaled al-Tuwaijri, Abdullah's de facto Prime Minister and éminence grise, replacing him with Mohammed bin Nayef. See also Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia) The Bees Army Notes References External links Saudi National e-Government Portal The Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia – United States; Washington, DC Carnegie Endowment, Arab Reform Bulletin: 'Saudi Arabia' Saudi Arabia Corruption Profile from the Business Anti-Corruption Portal