Iraq PM Abadi moves to tackle corruption amid mounting protests

Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi won the support of his cabinet on Sunday to eliminate a layer of senior government positions, part of a push to reduce corruption and save money in the face of mounting unrest. After weeks of protests demanding better government and a call by leading Shi'ite Muslim cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for tougher action, Abadi proposed cancelling Iraq’s multiple vice president and deputy prime minister positions, currently shared out along sectarian lines. Critics say the set-up hands high office to unqualified candidates and encourages corruption.

Sistani’s call for Abadi to take bold decisions was the perfect support at the perfect time. It gave Abadi leverage and granted him immunity against any possible opposition.

Political analyst Ahmed Younis

Abadi’s plan, which still requires parliamentary approval, would effectively sack his predecessor, Nouri al-Maliki, who begrudgingly stepped aside a year ago and was appointed to the largely symbolic role of vice president. Abadi, a moderate Shi'ite Islamist who has sought reconciliation between Sunnis and Shi'ites, has struggled to build broad political support for meaningful reform. Political analyst Ahmed Younis said corruption, economic pressures and the battle against Islamic State had “pushed Abadi with the country to the edge of the cliff”.

I renew my position in support of reforms required by the political process and guided by the supreme religious authority (Sistani) to the prime minister.

One of the vice presidents, Nuri al-Maliki

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