Democracy to prevail in Iraq

As the Iraqi prime minister Haidar al-Abadi, struggles against a deadline set by parliament to put together a new non-party cabinet, Iraqi analysts say the current political crisis is the outcome of a culture of political compromise that offered only half-solutions to Iraq's chronic problems.

Since last August, Abadi has come under increasing pressure as anti-government demonstrations have persisted in several cities across Iraq over poor living conditions. Protesters have also called for tougher measures to fight the rampant corruption within government offices.

Abadi responded with a proposal to revamp the government bureaucracy, revoking three vice presidential posts and the offices of three deputy prime ministers. The six posts under threat represented various political and sectarian blocs in the government.

Abadi's proposal was welcomed by the various political parties and protesters who viewed the reform package as a first step to do away with the country of the rampant corruption and put an end to the decade-long sectarian quota system instilled after the US invasion and occupation of Baghdad in 2003. Abadi also made several promises to investigate corruption, reappoint all senior officials based on professional rather than sectarian standards, and economise on the number of security personnel protecting senior officials.

Abadi's reform package was backed by the cabinet and approved by parliament.

He has since been criticised for failing to take decisive action.

On the 9th of February, Abadi called for a "radical cabinet reshuffle" to include professionals, technocrats and academics.

On 28th of March, the Iraqi parliament issued an ultimatum for Abadi to present a new non-party cabinet to fight corruption or potentially face a no-confidence vote. 

Abadi is also feeling the heat from within his own party who is against the reshuffle, fearing it could weaken the political patronage networks that have sustained their wealth and influence for more than a decade.

Last week, Iraq's parliament approved a partial cabinet reshuffle proposed by Abadi. By replacing ministers chosen on the basis of party affiliation or ethnic or sectarian identity, Abadi risks disturbing the delicate balance of Iraq's governing system in place since the US-led invasion and occupation which ended president Saddam Hussein’s rein.

But for the majority of Iraqi protesters, the cabinet reshuffle is seen as the last hope to achieve the impossible mission of fighting corruption within government offices and save the failing economy due to the fall in global crude prices.

Abadi's reform package, if implemented, would aim to dismantle the country's patronage system and root out corruption hindering the fight against Daesh.