New Government in Iraq–MES.EP.184

The new government in Iraq headed by PM Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani obtained the confidence of Parliament, by an absolute majority, after about two weeks of assigning Al-Sudani the task of forming it, and more than a year during which the country experienced a severe political crisis. With the convening of its first regular session last week, the test of the new government’s ability to carry out the main tasks it has taken upon itself began, especially the struggle against corruption, which requires the will of the participating forces to grant freedom of movement to its Prime Minister.

However, the Iraqi government is missing two ministers dedicated to the Kurds, due to a dispute over the division between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which reflects the first stumbling block for the new PM.

To discuss this issue with us from Beirut is Hussein Ibrahim, expert in Iraqi and Persian Gulf political affairs at the Al Akhbar daily newspaper.

Lebanese President Michel Aoun concluded his six-year presidential term last week, leaving no successor to replace him. This followed his announcement that he had accepted the resignation of the current caretaker government led by Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who failed to form a government after the elections in May of this year. Amid the constitutional chaos Lebanon is living through today, there are those who claim that Mikati’s caretaker government will be unable to manage the affairs of the country.

However, what the county needs now is to put the constitutional process on the right track, avoid political outbursts and slander, and elect a president of the republic, and then form a real government with full powers to organize public institutions in Lebanon.

To discuss this issue with us from Beirut is Dr. Jamal Wakim, author and academic and political commentator.