Will Iraq’s latest prime minister share Allawi’s fate?

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s new prime minister-designate, the country’s second in as many months, has vowed to hold snap elections, combat coronavirus, and secure the 2020 federal budget – if he can get his new cabinet approved by  parliament in the next 30 days. 

Iraq’s President Barham Salih on Tuesday tasked Adnan al-Zurfi with forming a government following weeks of discord and disagreement between Iraq’s parliamentary blocs. 

Zurfi’s predecessor, Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi, failed to get his cabinet of independent technocrats approved after Sunni, Kurdish, and some Shiite parties rebelled, fearing they would lose influence. 

After serving three terms as governor of Najaf, Zurfi became leader of the Nasr-led bloc in the Iraqi parliament. The Nasr (Victory) party itself is led by Haider al-Abadi – Iraq’s prime minister from 2014 to 2018.

In a video published by state media outlet al-Sabaah on Wednesday morning, Zurfi outlined the program for his new administration.

Besides new elections, containing the coronavirus outbreak, and pushing a budget through parliament, Zurfi said he is determined to bring Iraq’s armed factions to heel and defend the rights of protesters.

“I vow to work for the action plan of the upcoming cabinet which I outlined – if the parliamentarians and protesters on the streets grant the cabinet enough support – in order to pass the current crisis in Iraq together,” Zurfi said. 

“Let’s all work together to bring peace and freedom back to the country,” he added.

However, Zurfi’s action plan looks a lot like the one set out by Allawi just a few weeks ago. He had also pledged new elections, a budget, and protections for protesters. 

Policies alone, it would seem, are no guarantee of success. 

Adil Abdul-Mahdi has remained in office as caretaker prime minister despite resigning in late November in the face of mass protests. 

Activists occupying public squares across southern and central Iraq since October are demanding the removal of the post-2003 political order, an overhaul of the political system, and early elections. 

Many saw Allawi as just another member of the old establishment. Zurfi is cut from the same cloth. 

More than 600 people have been killed and around 18,000 injured in clashes with security forces and pro-government militias, according to Amnesty International.

Allawi was given a free hand by some Shiite parties to choose an independent cabinet. However, Sunnis, Kurds, and some Shiite parties stood against him.

Unable to win approval for his cabinet, Allawi resigned on March 2, just a month after his nomination.

Zurfi faces almost the same opposition in parliament.

The Iran-backed Fatih coalition led by former militia commander Hadi al-Amiri, together with the State of Law coalition led by former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, are already voicing their opposition to Zurfi’s candidacy.

The factions released a joint statement alongside the al-Nahij al-Watani and al-Aqid al-Watani blocs early on Wednesday to reject Zurfi.  

“President Barham Salih clearly violated the constitution when he refused the candidate of the biggest bloc [the Bina coalition] for the post of prime minister and appointed a candidate without consultation with the political parties,” the joint statement reads. 

“We will take serious political, lawful, and national action to stop this unconstitutional process as it will lead to the ruin of the internal peace.”

The pro-Iran Bina coalition claims to be the largest bloc in the Iraqi parliament. According to the Iraqi constitution, the largest bloc in parliament has the constitutional right to select Iraq’s new prime minister.

Bina had nominated Basra governor Asaad al-Aidani for the post back in December 2019. Salih rejected Aidani and said he would sooner resign as president than succumb to Bina’s pressure.

Eager to see Iraq’s political crisis resolved, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted in support of Zurfi.

“Iraqis want a government that upholds Iraq’s sovereignty, provides basic needs, is free of corruption, and protects their human rights,” Pompeo tweeted. 

“If Iraq’s newly selected Prime Minister-designate Adnan Zurfi puts these interests first, he will have US and international support,” he added.  

Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the UN Secretary-General’s special representative to Iraq, welcomed news of Zurfi’s appointment and urged him to address Iraq’s myriad crises.

“UN Hennis-Plasschaert welcomes designation of a PM candidate to form government. Faced with unprecedented security, political, economic & health crises, Iraq desperately needs an effective Cabinet,” the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) tweeted on Tuesday. 

“Hard work ahead, support of all political forces critical for national unity & success.”