Iraq: Divisions deepen over newly proposed cabinet

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD

Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi called on the country’s political powers to “show wisdom” in order to stop an escalating political dispute over his plan to form a technocratic government.

In a televised statement, which aired on Thursday, al-Abadi also said he would continue his restructuring plan and would not yield to the “divisions and disputes that are dragging the country into the unknown”.

Divisions between Iraq’s political blocs have deepened in recent months and have escalated into physical fights between lawmakers this week.

On Monday, a “National Reform Document” – which contains 12 articles pertaining to political, social, economic and security reforms – was signed by al-Abadi, President Fuad Masum, Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and a number of other influential politicians.

However, a number of other prominent Iraqi political personalities -- including Ayad Allawi, Nouri al-Maliki, Kurdish Regional Government President Masoud Barzani and representatives of Iraq’s powerful Shia Sadr movement -- were not present at the signing ceremony. Also, no Turkmen representatives were invited to the event.

Al-Abadi had proposed his first cabinet lineup at the end of March, but it was not accepted by a number of political powers. On Tuesday, al-Abadi proposed a second lineup, but it was also widely rejected, especially by the Sadr movement.