The Coordination Framework which runs the central government was hoping to take over most of the provinces after the December local elections. They have faced three early defeats however.
The biggest setback was in Basra where sitting governor Assad al-Eidwani was re-elected. Asaib Ahl Al-Haq was hoping to take control of the governorate but its efforts failed. After Baghdad Basra is the second most coveted province for the Shiite parties because of its wealth and importance to the economy since it holds most of the country’s oil and natural gas deposits.
In Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi was voted back in. He is close to Moqtada al-Sadr the main rival of the Framework which is why the list wanted the governor out.
Finally, in Salahaddin the Framework complained that the top positions were not divided up according to how well the winners did as is tradition.
This must be disappointing to the Coordination Framework. The list wanted to replace all the governors in Iraq and take control of the south to consolidate its hold on the state. That didn’t happen. Basra must be especially hard for the Framework because it was denied most of Iraq’s oil wealth, while in Wasit its enemy Sadr maintain some of his influence.
SOURCES
Al Aalem, “3 governorates shock the Coordination Framework and reveal the extent of the differences within it,” 2/5/24
- “One seat decides the new Wasit Council .. The conflict is intense between the governor and the Framework,” 12/2523
Buratha News, “Basra Provincial Council renews Al-Eidani’s mandate,” 2/5/24
Chalak, Chenar, “Ahmed al-Jubouri appointed new Salahaddin governor,” Rudaw, 2/4/24
Iraq News Network, “Wasit Council renews the retention of the current governor in the position,” 2/5/24
Al Mada, “The Framework list, open and in the shadows, controls more than half the provincial seats,” 12/20/23
- “Governorates are decided for Al-Taram, but the problem is with Al-Sadr and one for Al-Halbusi and Abu Mazin,” 12/23/23
No comments:
Post a Comment