Allawi Intensifies Efforts to Form New Iraq Government

Arab World

February 24th, 9:11am

Baghdad – Hamza Mustafa

University students gather during ongoing anti-government protests in Baghdad, Iraq February 16, 2020. (Reuters)

The Iraqi parliament has scheduled two meetings this week to discuss Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Allawi’s efforts to form a new government. Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi requested a meeting for Monday and his deputy, Hassan al-Kaabi requested one for Wednesday. Allawi has, meanwhile, intensified his talks with heads of political blocs to ensure that his cabinet lineup will be approved during Wednesday’s session. The separate calls for a parliament meeting appear to reflect differences between Halbousi and his deputy, who belongs to the Sadrist movement of populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The calls also reflect the political differences between Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. Kaabi has been seeking the approval of the government, in line with Sadr’s threat to stage a million-strong rally if the cabinet is not adopted. Allawi has broken with Iraq’s so-called “consensual democracy” when he announced that he was seeking to nominate independent ministers without the meddling of parliamentary blocs and political parties, which appear to have not yet processed his approach. Since 2005, the blocs and parties have had direct input in the government formation process, which would consequently drag on for months as they bicker over shares and portfolios. Separately, former MP from the Kurdistan Democratic Party Majid Shankali told Asharq Al-Awsat that Allawi was “clearly” adopting a more lenient approach with the Kurds. “We hope a final agreement will be reached between the two sides,” he added. He revealed that the leaked cabinet lineup includes non-provocative Kurdish figures, remarking, however, that differences are not centered on the nominees, but on the mechanism Allawi adopted in his government formation process. He also welcomed reports that the PM-designate was seeking to form a Kurdish affairs ministry, saying this move, if true, will help facilitate several issues between Baghdad and Erbil.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2146956/allawi-intensifies-efforts-form-new-iraq-government