After two power-sharing talks, Iraq's main political parties have agreed to form a new government, finally breaking the eight month political deadlock. Kurdish regional president Masoud Barzani, who presided over the talks, called the deal a "national partnership".
The parties reached a deal to keep Nouri Maliki as prime minister, with support from his main opponent Iyad Allawi, who will head a council for national strategy, while his faction get the Speaker's post and the foreign ministry. The presidency of the republic is expected to be retained by the current incumbent, Kurdish leader Jalal Talabani. Once parliament convenes, it is expected to begin by electing its own Speaker and his deputies.
The agreement is said to provide checks and balances against the abuse of power by any one group. The US commended Iraq and said the new deal was a "big step forward".
The chamber will then elect the president of the republic who will in turn invite the biggest parliamentary coalition, Maliki's, to nominate its candidate to try to form a government. He would then have a month to try to put an administration together.
Source: BBC News
For more news and expert analysis about Iraq, please see Iraq Focus.
No comments:
Post a Comment