ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Iraqi President Fuad Masum and the head of Hikma Ammar al-Hakim discussed forming the biggest parliamentary bloc and beginning the first session of the new parliament on Thursday, when both stressed the need for committing to constitutional timelines.
Masum, of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, welcomed Shiite cleric Hakim on Thursday “within the context of his Excellency’s current consultations with heads of political parties in the country,” according to the media office of the presidency.
Even through the Eid al-Adha holidays, political parties from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have made statements — indicating the process for forming a new government may soon begin.
“In the meeting, political developments in the country were discussed. There was focus on the developments related to the topic of speeding up forming the biggest bloc in preparation to call on the Council of Representatives in its fourth term to convene within the framework of the constitutional timeline that the Republic’s president makes sure all sides are committed to,” the readout added.
Both agreed that democratic process in Iraq needed to be protected and bolstered “on the basis of adherence to the constitution and respecting the will of the electorate,” while working on undertaking drastic reforms to build state institutions, develop services, and fight corruption, according to Masum’s office.
“We met his Excellency, the President of the Republic Dr. Masum, and discussed the topic of government formation through forming the biggest bloc and the president of the Republic’s call for the session of the upcoming Council of representatives following the ratification by the federal court,” read a tweet on Thursday by Ammar al-Hakim.
Hakim renewed his proposed option of “national majority and national partnership” in the “national space” and the conditions for the next stage set by the Marja.
“We stressed the necessity to commit to constitutional timelines in forming the government and we called on all political blocs to shoulder its responsibility and read the needs of the phase,” added Hakim.
He emphasized the need for a strong government that is capable of providing Iraqis with services and fulfilling their expectations.
Iraqi political parties have been divided into three. A pro-Iran bloc led is led by State of Law and Fatih. A second bloc is thought to be close to the United States and led by Muqtada al-Sadr, Abadi, Hakim, and Ayad Allawi. The third is undecided and led by Kurdistani parties and the Sunni National Axis Alliance which jointly would have about 100 seats. None of the blocs have the requisite 165 seats needed to form a ruling alliance.
Both blocs are seeking to win over the Kurdish-Sunni alliance, but they are thought to be closer to the pro-Iran camp, especially the Kurds, following the reaction of Abadi to Kurdistan Region’s referendum.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the Iraqi president, the guardian of the constitution, to decree for the parliament to convene according to the constitution, which is 15 days following certification of election results by the federal court on August 19.
On Monday, the US Embassy in Iraq also encouraged Iraqis to adhere to constitutional timelines for forming the government and first parliamentary session.
"We welcome Sunday’s certification of national election results by the Federal Supreme Court and are encouraged by the commitment of Iraq’s newly elected leaders to form a new government on Iraq’s constitutional timeline," the US mission stated on Monday.
Masum, of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, welcomed Shiite cleric Hakim on Thursday “within the context of his Excellency’s current consultations with heads of political parties in the country,” according to the media office of the presidency.
Even through the Eid al-Adha holidays, political parties from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have made statements — indicating the process for forming a new government may soon begin.
“In the meeting, political developments in the country were discussed. There was focus on the developments related to the topic of speeding up forming the biggest bloc in preparation to call on the Council of Representatives in its fourth term to convene within the framework of the constitutional timeline that the Republic’s president makes sure all sides are committed to,” the readout added.
Both agreed that democratic process in Iraq needed to be protected and bolstered “on the basis of adherence to the constitution and respecting the will of the electorate,” while working on undertaking drastic reforms to build state institutions, develop services, and fight corruption, according to Masum’s office.
“We met his Excellency, the President of the Republic Dr. Masum, and discussed the topic of government formation through forming the biggest bloc and the president of the Republic’s call for the session of the upcoming Council of representatives following the ratification by the federal court,” read a tweet on Thursday by Ammar al-Hakim.
Hakim renewed his proposed option of “national majority and national partnership” in the “national space” and the conditions for the next stage set by the Marja.
“We stressed the necessity to commit to constitutional timelines in forming the government and we called on all political blocs to shoulder its responsibility and read the needs of the phase,” added Hakim.
He emphasized the need for a strong government that is capable of providing Iraqis with services and fulfilling their expectations.
Iraqi political parties have been divided into three. A pro-Iran bloc led is led by State of Law and Fatih. A second bloc is thought to be close to the United States and led by Muqtada al-Sadr, Abadi, Hakim, and Ayad Allawi. The third is undecided and led by Kurdistani parties and the Sunni National Axis Alliance which jointly would have about 100 seats. None of the blocs have the requisite 165 seats needed to form a ruling alliance.
Both blocs are seeking to win over the Kurdish-Sunni alliance, but they are thought to be closer to the pro-Iran camp, especially the Kurds, following the reaction of Abadi to Kurdistan Region’s referendum.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has called on the Iraqi president, the guardian of the constitution, to decree for the parliament to convene according to the constitution, which is 15 days following certification of election results by the federal court on August 19.
On Monday, the US Embassy in Iraq also encouraged Iraqis to adhere to constitutional timelines for forming the government and first parliamentary session.
"We welcome Sunday’s certification of national election results by the Federal Supreme Court and are encouraged by the commitment of Iraq’s newly elected leaders to form a new government on Iraq’s constitutional timeline," the US mission stated on Monday.
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