Iraq PM Pledges to Restore People’s Confidence in Political System

A photo published by the office of the Iraqi prime minister during the inauguration of the Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Sunday.
A photo published by the office of the Iraqi prime minister during the inauguration of the Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Sunday.
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Iraq PM Pledges to Restore People’s Confidence in Political System

A photo published by the office of the Iraqi prime minister during the inauguration of the Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Sunday.
A photo published by the office of the Iraqi prime minister during the inauguration of the Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Sunday.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has pledged to restore the citizens’ confidence in the political system after the authorities made many promises but failed to take major action.

Sudani's comments came as the nation marked the 20th anniversary of the war on Iraq on March 19, 2003, which ousted the regime on April 19.

The premier stressed that Iraq can restore its position since it owns diverse wealth whether human, natural, or cultural.

He renewed his commitment to fight endemic corruption and restore the confidence of the citizens in the political process.

He described the fight against corruption as “our biggest battle,” but said such a fight “depends on our determination in fighting the corruption pandemic.”

He warned that the Baathist regime still jeopardizes the state and its reforms, in an unprecedented warning 20 years after the fall of the Baath party regime.

“This government has drawn an ambitious and comprehensive program for the advancement of Iraq,” he said.

“We will not tolerate any failure that could lead to exploit the peoples’ money for individual or partisan benefits,” Sudani told the Baghdad Dialogue Conference on Sunday in Baghdad.

“Iraq has regained its natural position as an incubator for dialogue,” Sudani added.

“Iraqis have become in 2003 decision makers in shaping the future in which they chose in 2005 a constitution that guarantees all freedoms.”

He said that his government was keen on restoring Iraq’s natural place among the countries that plan for the future, based on confidence in the country's capabilities, creating new job opportunities, combating poverty, expanding the social work network, and reviving health insurance.

Speaking about the private sector, the PM said that his government has pinned a key role to the private sector within the country’s public budget for the upcoming three years.



Constitutional Path for Aoun’s Presidential Election in Lebanon

Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun (Reuters)
Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun (Reuters)
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Constitutional Path for Aoun’s Presidential Election in Lebanon

Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun (Reuters)
Lebanese Army Commander Gen. Joseph Aoun (Reuters)

Gen. Joseph Aoun currently leads the race for Lebanon's presidency, but some warn his election could be unconstitutional because he holds a “Class A” position, requiring his resignation two years before running.
However, his supporters point to the 2008 election of Gen. Michel Suleiman, who was also army commander at the time, as a precedent. They argue the reasons given for Suleiman’s election should apply to Aoun as well.
At the time, Speaker Nabih Berri argued that the support of over 86 lawmakers for Suleiman made his election constitutional, as any constitutional amendment requires 86 votes.
MP Gebran Bassil, leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, continues to argue that Aoun’s election is unconstitutional under the current process.
He recently stated that constitutional amendments require a president, a functioning parliament, and a fully empowered government. The process also needs two steps: a two-thirds majority in the first vote and a three-quarters majority in the second.
Bassil’s argument is based on Articles 76 and 77 of the constitution, which say amendments can only be proposed by the president or parliament, but only during a regular session — which ended in December.
Dr. Paul Morcos, head of the “JUSTICIA” legal foundation in Beirut, told Asharq Al-Awsat that in 2008, parliament used Article 74 of the constitution to bypass the amendment to Article 49.
He explained that Gen. Suleiman’s election was considered an exception to the rule requiring military officials to resign six months before running for president, due to the presidential vacancy after President Emile Lahoud’s term ended in 2007.
Morcos added that the same reasoning could apply to Gen. Aoun’s potential election as president.