In August 2015 Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider Abadi responded
to a new wave of public protests by announcing a series of reforms. That
included cutting waste and getting rid of several government positions. He had the
support of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, which gave added weight to the
premier’s program. His opponents quickly began making moves against him largely
behind the scenes. Now three months later the anti-Abadi factions have gone on
the offensive reversing and limiting his actions.
At the end of October into early November the anti-Abadi
forces began a series of counter attacks upon the prime minister and his reform
package. Starting on October
20, Abu Muhandis one of the leaders of the Hashd al-Shaabi leaked a letter
attacking the premier for not funding the fighters. On October
27 60 members of the State of Law list sent Abadi a letter criticizing him
for acting unilaterally, while others called the premier’s program unconstitutional.
Another group threatened
to withdraw their support for Abadi if he didn’t ask Russia to carry out air
strikes against the Islamic State. On October
29, Nouri al-Maliki said that that he and the other vice presidents were
not dismissed despite a decree by Abadi. At the end of the month there was a
Dawa party meeting
in which members went after Abadi’s proposals to change the salary scales for
government workers in the draft 2016 budget to offset the country’s financial
crisis. Finally, at the start of November parliament voted
on a resolution that Abadi could not make any more reforms without its approval
and the Federal Supreme Court ruled
that the vice presidents could not be fired. These moves not only publicly
threw down the gauntlet against the premier, but effectively put an end to his
reforms. The ruling parties use corruption and patronage systems via government
jobs and contracts to stay in power. That means parliament will not approve any
future moves that threaten this system. Abadi can now count on the courts
coming out against him as well.
Abadi’s premiership has split the Shiite alliance. On his
side is the pro-western wing of the Dawa Party, Ammar Hakim and his Islamic
Supreme Council of Iraq, and to a lesser extent Moqtada al-Sadr and his Ahrar
bloc in parliament. Against him are Nouri al-Maliki and the pro-Iran side of
Dawa, the Badr Organization, and the Tehran linked Hashd al-Shaabi groups like
Asaib Ahl Al-Haq. For now the critics of the prime minister are happy to attack
him in the press and block his reforms, but their ultimate goal is to replace
him. That seems unlikely for right now, but next year things may change depending
upon the economic and security situation. This all highlights the precarious
situation Abadi is in.
SOURCES
Kazimi, Nibras, “What is happening in Iraq?” Talisman Gate,
Again, 10/29/15
Al Mada, “The call for a crucial meeting attended by
al-Abadi in the lst hour .. Al-Maliki and partisan committee to settle
differences,” 10/31/15
- “Citizens and Liberals: Abadi’s recent criticism of past
administration reveals a conflict within Dawa,” 10/6/15
- “”Commander of necessity” and not cooperating with the quartet
raise the wrath of State of Law against the Prime Minister,” 10/28/15
- “Deputy: Federal Court decides to return the Vice
Presidents of the Republic to their offices,” 11/2/15
- “Sayadi: 45 deputies from the State of Law withdraw
authority from Abadi,” 10/28/15
Al Masalah, “Maliki reveals reasons why he blasted premier,”
10/29/15
- “Shura Dawa Party confirms its support for Abadi’s
reforms,” 10/30/15
NINA, “National Alliance Plans To Dismiss Abadi And Replace
Him By Another Character,” 10/22/15
Rasheed, Ahmed, “Iraq’s coalition members press PM to
consult before ordering reforms,” Retuers, 10/28/15
Al Rayy, “Maliki confirms that the posts of Vice-President
of the Republic has not been canceled,” 10/29/15
Sotaliraq, “Maliki warns Abadi after being called “the
leader of necessity,”” 10/6/15
Xinhua, “Iraqi parliament says Abadi’s reforms should comply
with constitution,” 11/2/15
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