[ad_1]
BAGHDAD – The new Iraqi Prime Minister was sworn in on Wednesday after legislators approved the majority of his government, overcoming the first test of his leadership and giving the country a government five months after the elections.
Parliament has approved 14 of the 22 ministers appointed by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi following an eventful four-hour session that some legislators have threatened to disrupt by saying that they needed more time to examine the candidates, as some were suspected of corruption or could have fake degrees. Several key positions, including those in the interior and defense, still need to be approved.
The session highlighted the challenges that Mr. Abdul-Mahdi faces in repairing a dysfunctional political system while reshaping the economy dependent on Iraqi oil and rebuilding the infrastructure destroyed in the war against the Islamic State. Iraqi security forces must also prevent the resurgence of the extremist group, which has regrouped in northern Iraq as politicians are fighting in Baghdad.
Mr. Abdul-Mahdi, a 76-year-old independent Shiite, was appointed earlier this month to form the country's next government in early November, following a compromise between state-backed rival factions. United States and Iran, which ended months of trouble that followed. an inconclusive election in May.
The United States, which has invested billions of dollars in the war against an Islamic state, did not want to see the formation of the Iraqi government dictated by the allies of Iran. Having a friendly government next door is crucial for Iran as the country is under increasing pressure from Washington and its allies.
The post of Iraqi Prime Minister is reserved for the Shiite majority of the country, while the president is a Kurd and the Speaker of Parliament is a Sunni subject to a complex political system that took shape after the state-led invasion. In 2003. These posts have far-sighted agreements between different parties, including the distribution of ministries and their use for purposes of favoritism.
But the long quarrels over the formation of the government have left unanswered many of the country's discouraging problems, ranging from poor public services to corruption through infrastructure development and security, sparking violent demonstrations against the political class whole. This public anger finally prompted rival factions to agree on the former deputy prime minister and oil minister as the country's next leader.
Mr Abdul-Mahdi accepted the post of Prime Minister on the condition that he could choose his own ministers according to their abilities rather than their political affiliation, as was the case previously. Most of the ministers on whom we have agreed are considered technocrats and not influential members of political parties as they have been in the past.
Earlier in the session, Parliament also approved Abdul-Mahdi's government program, which sets goals such as fighting corruption and reducing red tape.
The veteran politician does not have long to prove himself: anger rises against the political class while ordinary Iraqis fight against poor government services.
If there is no tangible improvement by the summer, the government of Mr. Abdul-Mahdi is almost certain to face protests like those that have finally overthrew his predecessor, Haider al-Abadi. At the same time, the Trump administration's reimposition of sanctions on Iran next month should put Iraq in an even more delicate situation.
Even the champions of Mr. Abdul Mahdi wonder if he has the political skills to succeed.
"Adel has always been the best Prime Minister Iraq has ever known," said Emma Sky, a former US Army adviser in Iraq. "The question is of course, can he deliver?"
Write to Isabel Coles at [email protected]
