There is uncertainty in Iraq after parliament approved Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi’s resignation.
This approval came after two months of protests that has left more than 400 people dead.
The embattled Prime Minister had announced his resignation on Friday. This was after 50 demonstrators were killed on Thursday by security forces.
Nevertheless, the killings occurred in Baghdad and Iraq’s mainly Shia southern cities of Nasiriya and Najaf.
Above all, the prime minister also faced criticism from Iraq’s top Shia leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Ayatollah condemned the use of lethal force against the protesters and called for a new government.
The resignation approval also suggested the resignation of key members of the Iraqi government, including the prime minister’s chief of staff.
Government will assume caretaker role
Legal experts said that the government would assume a caretaker role for 30 days. Or until the largest bloc in parliament agrees on a new candidate to replace him.
“Based on the constitution, this resignation includes the whole government – ministers and the deputy prime minister,” legal expert Tareq Harb told Al Jazeera.
“The government has now become a caretaker government which will only address urgent issues until a new government is elected,” he added.
“The largest political bloc or alliance will have 15 days to nominate a candidate. Which the president will then assign to form a new government within 30 days. “This new cabinet will then be voted on by parliament which needs an absolute majority to be voted in.”
With no bloc officially designated as the largest in parliament. It could take weeks for a new prime minister to be nominated.
Although Abdul Mahdi’s resignation was welcomed by protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square. Yet, protesters said they will continue to demonstrate until they see a complete overhaul of the country’s political system.
Meanwhile, the protesters were protesting against corruption, high unemployment, inadequate public services and perceived foreign meddling in Iraqi affairs.
Moreover, protesters have been taking to the streets since early October 1st. While their protest has been against the country’s ruling class and calling for the overhaul of the political system.
The political system was established after the 2003 US-led invasion, whereby power is apportioned among ethnic and sectarian groups.
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Many Iraqis believe that this quota-based system allowed certain individuals and groups over years to enrich themselves and expand their influence. While much of the oil-rich country’s population endured economic hardship.
Source: Aljazeera.com
