Corruption-tainted leaders have no place in new gov’t: Sadr spokesperson

15-05-2018
Rudaw
Tags: Iraq election Muqtada al-Sadr Sayirun corruption
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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Sadr movement will nominate current Maysan governor for the post of prime minister to head up what they want to be a technocrat government that will eliminate those tainted with accusations of corruption, the spokesperson told Rudaw.

Spokesperson Salah al-Obeidi told Rudaw they will not allow figures and leaders involved in corruption to be part of the new team that will lead the country. 

Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who heads the movement, has led demands for an end to corruption in Baghdad. His followers have regularly held large anti-government protests in Baghdad.

Iraq ranks among the most corrupt nations in the world. Incumbent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi campaigned on an anti-corruption platform, describing it as a threat equal to terrorism. 

Abadi is considered Washington’s man. His list’s failure at the polls was a surprise.

Obeidi also confirmed that Ali Dawai, current Maysan governor, will be Sadr’s candidate for prime minister, explaining they are ready to enter talks with other parties on this. 

They appear willing to be flexible in their nomination as Obeidi said Dawai will not necessarily be their final candidate. 

The spokesperson added that the government structure should not be sectarian-based and other groups, including Kurds, will be involved.

Al-Sayirun (Marching Towards Reform), is a coalition of Sadr’s supporters, some secularists, and the Iraqi Communist Party. According to preliminary election results, the alliance has won the most seats, followed by al-Fatih, pushing Abadi’s Nasr (Victory) Alliance into third place.

Under the Iraqi constitution, after the final election results are released, the president gives 15 days for the newly elected parliament to hold its first session. The oldest MP will preside over the session where the speaker and deputy will be chosen.

Then the new parliament will elect a new president within three days. The new president will recommend the largest bloc in the parliament form the cabinet. If that bloc fails, another bloc will be recommended to form the government, this time within 15 days.

Sadr appeared to call for the formation of a technocratic government in a pun-laden tweet on Monday.  

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