Conflicting Reports on the Premiership in Iraq

[SteveI]

Conflicting Reports on the Premiership in Iraq

Comments by MEMRI staff

After more than seven months since the parliamentary election and uncounted number of meetings among the various political groups, blocs, parties, coalitions and individuals, the reports from Iraq about the forming of a new government continue to be both confusing and contradictory.

Having concluded that he did not have enough support to form a government, Ayad Allawi has thrown his support behind Adel Abd al-Mahdi, the outgoing vice president and a member of the Supreme Islamic Council. Supporters of al-Mahdi maintain he has 140 votes in parliament (163 votes are needed to be confirmed as prime minister in the 325-member parliament.)

Supporters of Nouri al-Maliki maintain that he has mobilized 137 votes and that he is about to conclude a deal with the Kurdish Alliance with its 55 votes which would put him on top. Some of al-Maliki's votes, 40 to be exact, are controlled by the Sadrists, whose leader, the fiercely anti-American Muqtada al-Sadr, is reported to have told al-Maliki that he would only support him if the government he proposes to put together includes Allawi's al-Iraqiya and Ammar al-Hakim's Supreme Islamic Council; both blocs are vehemently opposed to al-Maliki remaining in office for a second term. What must surely be of concern to al-Maliki is the statement issued by one of the leaders of the Sadrists who often speaks for Muqtada al-Sadr, Bahaa al-'Araji, that the Sadrists would not stand in the way of Abd al-Mahdi if he were able to receive a majority vote in parliament. The Sadrist support for al-Maliki remains decidedly soft and unpredictable. And it is certainly of a major concern for the U.S., which views al-Sadr as a troublemaker and even as inclined to engage in violence.

Perhaps one of the fascinating aspects of modern Iraq is that the Kurds, after decades of often violent conflict with the central government of Iraq, now find themselves playing the role of "kingmakers."A vote for either al-Maliki or Abd al-Mahdi will insure the beneficiary of their votes the premiership. They are bound to extract a heavy price and tons of concessions for these votes.

References: al-Zaman, Iraq; al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, October 20, 2010

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/31298.htm

Nothing really new except we may be getting a bit closer.

Edited October 21, 2010 by SteveI

[Walker Texas Ranger]

Great find.. Thanks for the quick post!

Go RV!

[dinarette]

Thanks for the post - I think we're closer than any of us know!

[Fairways&Greens]

Thanks for the post! Something will give soon. They can't keep going in circles forever.

[nashdinar]

It appears as though these nuts are finally starting to crack! One can only hope that these events unfold to a GOI and then an RV. Thanks for the post. GO RV!!

Edited October 21, 2010 by nashdinar

[fatbob]

Conflicting Reports on the Premiership in Iraq

Comments by MEMRI staff

After more than seven months since the parliamentary election and uncounted number of meetings among the various political groups, blocs, parties, coalitions and individuals, the reports from Iraq about the forming of a new government continue to be both confusing and contradictory.

Having concluded that he did not have enough support to form a government, Ayad Allawi has thrown his support behind Adel Abd al-Mahdi, the outgoing vice president and a member of the Supreme Islamic Council. Supporters of al-Mahdi maintain he has 140 votes in parliament (163 votes are needed to be confirmed as prime minister in the 325-member parliament.)

Supporters of Nouri al-Maliki maintain that he has mobilized 137 votes and that he is about to conclude a deal with the Kurdish Alliance with its 55 votes which would put him on top. Some of al-Maliki's votes, 40 to be exact, are controlled by the Sadrists, whose leader, the fiercely anti-American Muqtada al-Sadr, is reported to have told al-Maliki that he would only support him if the government he proposes to put together includes Allawi's al-Iraqiya and Ammar al-Hakim's Supreme Islamic Council; both blocs are vehemently opposed to al-Maliki remaining in office for a second term. What must surely be of concern to al-Maliki is the statement issued by one of the leaders of the Sadrists who often speaks for Muqtada al-Sadr, Bahaa al-'Araji, that the Sadrists would not stand in the way of Abd al-Mahdi if he were able to receive a majority vote in parliament. The Sadrist support for al-Maliki remains decidedly soft and unpredictable. And it is certainly of a major concern for the U.S., which views al-Sadr as a troublemaker and even as inclined to engage in violence.

Perhaps one of the fascinating aspects of modern Iraq is that the Kurds, after decades of often violent conflict with the central government of Iraq, now find themselves playing the role of "kingmakers."A vote for either al-Maliki or Abd al-Mahdi will insure the beneficiary of their votes the premiership. They are bound to extract a heavy price and tons of concessions for these votes.

References: al-Zaman, Iraq; al-Sharq al-Awsat, London, October 20, 2010

http://www.thememriblog.org/blog_personal/en/31298.htm

Nothing really new except we may be getting a bit closer.

This entire investment has been a series of conflicting reports. Whats new? Thanks for the post.