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Iraq’s Maliki eyes downsizing government, risks protest
By REUTERS
Published: Jun 14, 2011 16:51 Updated: Jun 14, 2011 16:51
BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki plans to cut ministries and streamline his government to try to meet protesters’ demands to improve efficiency and basic services, officials and lawmakers said.
Many Iraqis, encouraged by popular protests sweeping the rest of the Arab world, have staged demonstrations since February to demand improvements in public services and the food rationing system, and have called for an end to corruption.
Maliki’s opponents will most probably criticize the move as an attempt to consolidate his position in the power-sharing government by cutting the ministries belonging to parties such as the Sunni-backed Iraqiya party.
But Maliki’s Shiite State of Law alliance said the plan would trim most of 15 unnecessary ministries that are without a portfolio, and would not affect political balance.
“The prime minister’s opinion and desire is to shrink the the number of ministries while keeping the political balance,” said cabinet general secretary, Ali Al-Alaq. “It will just be removing the excess or surplus as necessary.”
Iraq’s power-sharing coalition consists of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish parties who formed a government in December nine months after an inconclusive election.
Maliki from the start said he was not satisfied with his cabinet, complaining he was forced to accept some ministers just to appease coalition members.
He has clashed with Iraqiya leader Iyad Allawi, who says the prime minister has circumvented a deal that would allow him to share power by leading a strategic policy council. That council has yet to be formed.
“Maliki has been criticized for centralising government and this will certainly be interpreted in that way. Tensions are rising on many sides,” said Gala Riani, a Middle East analyst at IHS Global Insight in London.
“It is a fragile balance. In the unity government any move he makes will be watched very carefully,” she said.
The increase in political tension may hamper the coalition in deciding whether to ask some US troops to stay in Iraq beyond an end-year deadline for their withdrawal.
Violence has eased since the peak in 2006-2007 but Sunni Muslim and Shiite militias still carry out attacks, killings and bombings daily in the OPEC oil producer.
Maliki gave his ministers 100 days to find solutions to the main complaints of protesters, but the time limit ended last week without many signs of improvement.
On Sunday, the cabinet approved $927 million in financing for electricity generation projects.
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By REUTERS
Published: Jun 14, 2011 16:51 Updated: Jun 14, 2011 16:51
BAGHDAD: Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki plans to cut ministries and streamline his government to try to meet protesters’ demands to improve efficiency and basic services, officials and lawmakers said.
Many Iraqis, encouraged by popular protests sweeping the rest of the Arab world, have staged demonstrations since February to demand improvements in public services and the food rationing system, and have called for an end to corruption.
Maliki’s opponents will most probably criticize the move as an attempt to consolidate his position in the power-sharing government by cutting the ministries belonging to parties such as the Sunni-backed Iraqiya party.
But Maliki’s Shiite State of Law alliance said the plan would trim most of 15 unnecessary ministries that are without a portfolio, and would not affect political balance.
“The prime minister’s opinion and desire is to shrink the the number of ministries while keeping the political balance,” said cabinet general secretary, Ali Al-Alaq. “It will just be removing the excess or surplus as necessary.”
Iraq’s power-sharing coalition consists of Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish parties who formed a government in December nine months after an inconclusive election.
Maliki from the start said he was not satisfied with his cabinet, complaining he was forced to accept some ministers just to appease coalition members.
He has clashed with Iraqiya leader Iyad Allawi, who says the prime minister has circumvented a deal that would allow him to share power by leading a strategic policy council. That council has yet to be formed.
“Maliki has been criticized for centralising government and this will certainly be interpreted in that way. Tensions are rising on many sides,” said Gala Riani, a Middle East analyst at IHS Global Insight in London.
“It is a fragile balance. In the unity government any move he makes will be watched very carefully,” she said.
The increase in political tension may hamper the coalition in deciding whether to ask some US troops to stay in Iraq beyond an end-year deadline for their withdrawal.
Violence has eased since the peak in 2006-2007 but Sunni Muslim and Shiite militias still carry out attacks, killings and bombings daily in the OPEC oil producer.
Maliki gave his ministers 100 days to find solutions to the main complaints of protesters, but the time limit ended last week without many signs of improvement.
On Sunday, the cabinet approved $927 million in financing for electricity generation projects.
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