Iran Press/ commentary: Iraq has been witnessing anti-government protests since October 1st. The protests, which were rooted in livelihoods and social problems, turned into street violence with foreign interference and the measures of some internal opposition and political currents.
The then Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi resigned in response to street violence and has continued his post as a caretaker since December 1. After numerous ups and downs and the announcement of numerous names for the Iraqi Prime Minister, President Barham Salih finally appointed Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi as the Prime Minister-designate on February 1, 2020, to form the new Cabinet. Allawi failed to form a new cabinet within a month and offered his resignation to Salih.
Why did Tafiq Allawi fail to form a new cabinet?
Iraq's demographic and political structure is the product of British colonial policies. Kurdish, Shia, and Sunni groups have been deep within Iraqi geography despite the many conflicts and disagreements, and for the last hundred years, there has always been a conflict between them and the struggle for power.
The situation is now seen in Iraq as well, and Iraqi groups put a lot of pressure on Tawafiq Allawi to gain more seats or more important ministerial posts and virtually took steps for a vote of no confidence in his cabinet.
Iraqi groups have ignored the national interest regardless of the current sensitive conditions in the country. In his resignation letter to Iraqi President, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi also blamed the pressures of some parties on him for partisan, not national, interests for his decision for resignation.
What are the consequences of failing to form a new cabinet?
The most important consequence of Tawfiq Allawi's resignation is that the caretaker period has ended and the Iraqi president assumes the post of prime minister for the first time at the same time. Another point is that the president must nominate a new prime minister within 15 days.
"The president will now temporarily assume the prime minister's power to personally nominate the prime minister in two weeks, without the need for a larger parliamentary faction," said Iraqi expert Sayed Reza Gharabi.”
Introducing a new prime minister who is both acceptable to the protesters and able to gain confidence in parliament is a tough act in Iraq.
In addition, with the failure of Tawfiq Allawi to form a new cabinet, protesters are likely to return to the streets as well as the return of street violence, while Iraq is now facing a coronavirus.
Author: Seyyed Razi Emadi
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