MESOPOTAMA NEWS : CHAOS & TURMOIL IN IRAQ AND THE KURDS

“Barham Resignation Would Bring More Chaos to Iraq” by Dana Taib Menmy

On December 26, Iraqi President Barham Salih presented parliamentary speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi with a letter announcing his intention to resign, rather than nominate Asaad al-Eidani as prime minister. This announcement comes on the heels of President Salih’s refusal to approve the nominations of both Qusay al-Suhail and Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for the position of Minister of Higher Education.

Salih’s refusal resulted in a failure to form a new government within the 15-day constitutional deadline. Protesters have called for both Salih and Halbusi’s resignations, accusing them of failing to adhere to the constitutional deadlines and of being too ingrained within Iraqi political parties. Protesters demand that the new prime minister be independent of foreign intervention and political party pressure, meaning that Salih would be pushed out because of his deep ties to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the likelihood of his becoming the new head of the party. Unless an adequate candidate is found, both Salih and Halbusi may be forced to resign, and political protests will continue throughout the country.

al-Monitor (Sulaymaniyah), December 28, 2019.

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