Third Iraqi Republic being established: Abadi

[Pitcher]

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi took the opportunity in a unity speech during Iraqi Martyrs Day which aligns with the death anniversary Shiite cleric Mohammed Baqir al-Sadr to say Iraq is now possibly establishing its third republic. 

“We are probably today establishing the third republic. The third republic is a united, strong Iraq that is capable of playing an important role not only in the region but the world," said Abadi.

Abadi argued he is for majority politics, but under certain conditions.

“We are for majority politics if the purpose of majoritarian politics is to achieve a strong state, and a state that can progress forward powerfully to meet the expectations of citizens,” Abadi reveled.

Abadi dismissed forms of majority politics which exclude the others in the political process.
 

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and MPs in his State of Law bloc’s have expressed their intention to form a majority government, citing the incompetency of the previous governments as caused by the coalition nature of the governments.

"We are for this unity, and that is why we are for political a consensus that that takes care of Iraq's interests and the citizens. We are not with political consensus that leads to privileges to sides and parties. We reject such consensus,” Abadi added.

Abadi posited that Iraqis achieved “an astounding victory that dazzled everyone” and warned the media of trying to leverage ISIS sleeper cell attacks, saying it amounted to helping terrorism.

"Unity resulted in victory. For the sake of sustaining the victory, we have to be united. We cannot take care of this victory without unit,” Abadi argued.

Abadi proclaimed unity as necessary for sustaining the victory into the second victory of rebuilding, investment, creating jobs and stability.

Abadi argued that security has to be established for services and rebuilding that is necessary for IDPs returning to their homes. He did admit that some IDPs had changed their homes and have settled elsewhere.

"We don't want to effect a demographic change," said Abadi, revealing that some displaced people have left their homes and have populated other areas.

Fuad Masum, a Kurd and the Iraq president, also participated in the event and celebrated the strong relationship between the late Mohammed Baqir Sadr and Jalal Talabani.

Sadr was killed by the Saddam Hussein regime in 1980 after writing in defense of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.

[It] is necessary to render the victory over terrorism a fact in the future as well, which calls for providing the positive, actual, and necessary environment for a dignified return of displaced [people],” Masum said.
 

“[It's necessary] for social reconciliation to resolve all disputes between the sons of one nation based on the constitution,” Masum added.

The tense relations between Baghdad and Erbil have witnessed a thaw and normalization, especially with the decision of reopening KRG’s airports for international flights and sending salaries for some KRG departments.

The first Iraqi republic lasted from 1958 to 1968, Saddam Hussein then rose before being removed from power by the US-led coalition in 2003. Iraq’s current government was constitutionally formed in 2005. 

 

http://www.rudaw.net/mobile/english/middleeast/iraq/170320181