Maliki supports Abadi proposal to eliminate vice presidency

By RUDAW yesterday at 01:25

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s decision to make extensive political reforms to eliminate the post of vice president and other high-ranking positions in the government caused different reactions among Iraqi factions Sunday.

Disgraced former Prime Minister and sitting Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, whose position will be eliminated under the Abadi proposal, said in a statement to the press he will support Iraqi Shiite leaders’ calls for change in the government. He asked the Iraqi premier to implement the reform.

Salim Jabouri, the head of the Iraqi Parliament, in a statement vowed to stand by the Iraqi premier in his new plan to reduce high-ranking positions.

“The Iraqi Parliament will fully support the government’s reform and will be an observer to the process,” Jabouri said. He added the reforms should take place in accordance with the law.

The Sadrist Movement in Iraq in a statement welcomed Abadi’s plan, and asked its MPs and ministers to support the premier to implement the reforms.

Kurdish Iraqi MP Zana Rosta'ee for his part told Rudaw the announced reform would be ineffective without first amending the Iraqi law.

He also criticized Abadi for being swayed by Iraqi Shiite leaders and demonstrators, suggesting that Abadi’s decisions are emotional and may stir up political conflicts more than before.

Abadi’s decision comes days after Iraqis took to the streets across the country demanding better services and an end to corruption.

“The decisions are good but success in implementing such reforms requires law adjustments,” Rosta'ee said. “This kind of unilateral reform by the Iraqi prime minister may bring a kind of dictatorship to power.”

In a statement, Abadi said that the number of bodyguards to top officials and parliamentarians would also be decreased.

The bodyguards “would be moved to the defense or interior ministry based on their training, where they will defend the country and its people,” the statement said.

“All special payment to government committees and retired officials will be revoked and instead will be readjusted to take into account fairness, professionalism and expertise,” Abadi also said in the statement. He added ministries, managerial and consultancy positions would be purged of political and sectarian appointments.

“A grand committee set up by the prime minister will select candidates based on skill, transparency and domestic and international experience,” the statement continued.

Abadi has asked MPs to approve his decree in order to start its implementation across all government institutions.