Iraq PM Calls for Reforms

Reacting to Popular Protests

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi today announced a wide-ranging government reform plan only two days after massive anti-corruption protests took place in Baghdad, Basra, and other cities. The cabinet immediately approved the plan, which is sent to the parliament for final approval. The list of reforms, published in prime minister’s Facebook page today, includes the following: (World Press, 9 August)

• Dissolving the positions of Vice Presidents and Deputy Prime Ministers immediately. (Note: this line item would involve sacking of Nouri al-Maliki and others.)

• Establishment of a High Commission to fight corruption and reopen old and current corruption cases; as well as appointing judges to oversee those cases.

• Reassigning all security forces to the Ministry of Defense to be trained to defend the country’s frontiers.

• Rescinding of all (sectarian and party) quotas allocated to high government positions. The PM will form a committee to oversee the sacking of unqualified personnel and their merit-based replacement.

• Merging ministries and institutions to raise efficiency and cut costs.

Photo credit: Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi (World Press)