KADHEMI NAMED IRAQ’S THIRD PM-DESIGNATE THIS YEAR
BAGHDAD: Iraqi President Barham Saleh has nominated spy chief Mustafa Kadhemi as the country’s third prime minister-designate this year, moments after his predecessor ended his bid to form a government.
Kadhemi, the 53-year-old head of the National Intelligence Service, has ascended to the role as Iraq faces a budget crisis brought on by the collapse in world oil prices and the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“This is a huge responsibility, and a difficult task,” Saleh said in his nominating speech, describing Kadhemi as someone with integrity and reason.
His nomination was attended by ministers, political rivals and even the United Nations’ representative in Iraq, indicating widespread support for
Kadhemi that neither of the previous Pm-designates had enjoyed.
Moments before the ceremony, his predecessor Adnan Zurfi announced he was withdrawing his candidacy due to “internal and external reasons,” without elaborating.
Kadhemi said in a televised speech that arms should only be in government’s hands.
He also said the key objectives for his government will be to fight corruption and return displaced people back home.
Kadhemi was able to secure that support after weeks of lobbying that peaked in a flurry of meetings in Baghdad over the last week, sources close to him said.
THIRD TIME’S THE CHARM?
With ties to both Washington and Tehran, Kadhemi may be best equipped to steer Iraq through the brewing political storm, observers say.
“It’s a win for Iraq, especially in this difficult economic phase, as he could ensure the renewal of Baghdad’s waiver to the US sanctions imposed on Iran,” a senior political figure in the Iraqi capital said.
But first, he must submit a cabinet lineup to Iraq’s 329-member parliament for a vote of confidence by May 9.
That will require a long process of consultations with various political parties, as top positions in Iraq’s powersharing system are typically doled out through horsetrading and consensus.
Neither of the previous candidates for prime minister — Zurfi or former communications minister Mohammad Allawi — had been able to reach that step.
If he succeeds, Kadhemi would replace Iraq’s caretaker premier Adel Abdel Mahdi, who came into power in 2018 when political blocs opted for him over Kadhemi.
Abdel Mahdi resigned in December following months of anti-government protests, becoming the first prime minister in the country’s post-2003 order to step down.