Leading Iraqi parties welcome President Barzani initiative to end political gridlock
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Leading Iraqi parties appear to have welcomed a proposed initiative by President Masoud Barzani, the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), that aims to end a deadlock amid government formation talks.
The Kurdish leader's proposal came early Monday, with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani going to the Iraqi capital of Baghdad shortly after, where he met Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi and Sadrist Movement head Muqtada al-Sadr.
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Since the Oct. 10 election, tensions have been high between the Sadrist Movement and the Shiite Coordination Framework, dominated by political representatives of pro-Iran militias and the primary promoter of election fraud, allegations the federal supreme court has dismissed.
Sadr's political alliance led in the vote, winning 73 seats in the 329-seat legislature, while Iran-aligned parties struggled to maintain the influence they had in the previous parliamentary session.
A self-styled nationalist and Shiite cleric, Sadr has allied with the KDP and the Sunni al-Siyada (Sovereignty) Alliance in efforts to form a national majority government. Together, they control a simple majority of the legislature.
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Sadr has reportedly insisted he would not be a part of a government that includes former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki.
During parliament's inaugural session earlier this month, lawmakers elected the body's speaker and his two deputies. Halbousi, a top al-Siyada Alliance member, took the speakership. A KDP member and a Sadrist politician were voted as his deputies.
In a week, representatives are expected to hold a session to vote on the country's next president.
Independent Iraqi politician Izzat al-Shabandar praised Masoud Barzani's initiative as "an essential step" towards resolving ongoing disputes over the makeup of a future government.
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Al-Siyada Alliance head Khamis al-Khanjar also welcomed the senior Kurdish figure's move, saying it is "a step in the path" towards stabilizing Iraq, prioritizing national dialogue and cohesion. He affirmed that his coalition's goal is to form a "national majority government" that "serves the people" of Iraq.
"President Barzani's initiative does not include the withdrawal of Hoshyar Zebari" as the KDP candidate for the Iraqi presidency, Arafat Karam, a KDP advisor, said on Twitter. Zebari is reportedly the top nominee for the post.
Analysts say that President Masoud Barzani's initiative aims to reunite Shiite politicians, as Sadr continues to assert he wants to exclude Maliki in the future government.