The Iraqi parliament on Tuesday approved a package of crucial reform plan presented by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, as well as an additional plan suggested by the parliament, which both came in response to recent demonstrations against corruption and poor services.
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Emboldened by widespread anti-government protests and a call by a leading Shi’ite Muslim cleric for tougher action, Abadi announced measures over the weekend aimed at reforming a system critics say hands high office to unqualified candidates and encourages corruption.
The second plan was also read and approved by parliament, and the session – most of which was taken up by the reading of the two plans – ended some 30 minutes after it began.
The Shiite prime minster gained a boost for implementing reforms on Friday, when Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani – Iraq’s senior Shiite cleric – called for drastic change in Iraq.
Corruption and poor governance under former premier Nuri al-Maliki – replaced by al-Abadi last September – have been widely blamed for the collapse of security forces in the face of the jihadists’ lightning offensives last summer.
Baghdad, August 11 The Iraqi parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved wide-ranging measures, including administrative reforms to wipe out corruption and easing of sectarian tensions.
The reforms also expand the powers of the prime minister, allowing him to sack provincial governors and the heads of provincial and local councils. Al-Araji also wrote that he has resigned in favor of public interest, in support of the Prime Minister’s reforms, and in compliance to Al-Sadr’s demand. He expressed support for the reform plan. The plunge in crude prices and Iraq’s battle against Islamic State militants has depleted the state coffers, and the government recently took a bailout from the worldwide Monetary Fund to meets its budget deficit.
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Abadi’s measures included reduction of extra expenditures for the three presidencies and other government institutions in accordance with instruction to be issued later by Abadi.
