Iraq’s ruling coalition may call for early elections

A poll by the nongovernmental Iraq Statistics Organization found Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani to have an approval rate of 51%, the highest of any Iraqi official.

By HUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE
MARCH 10, 2024 14:20

Iraq’s ruling coalition plans to call for early elections in an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al Sudani.

Al Sudani belongs to the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Shiite parties loyal to Iran. But after assuming the premiership, Al Sudani changed his approach toward the parties and came to disagree with many of their political positions.

A leader in the Islamic Dawa Party, which Al Sudani led until stepping down in 2019, told The Media Line that Coordination Framework parties have been meeting for about five months and plan to call for elections in 2024 or early 2025.

“The plan is to attack the prime minister, belittle his achievements, bring him down popularly, and create more political and economic problems, after which the Iraqi street will go out in demonstrations demanding the overthrow of the government, and then call for early elections, and not nominate Al Sudani again, or grant him any position,” the source, who asked to remain anonymous, said.

The source noted that two previous Iraqi prime ministers had lost their positions after the Iraqi public turned against them.

Party fears creation of new political party

“The party fears that Al Sudani may announce the formation of a new political party or alliance, run in the upcoming elections, and become the ruling political majority in Iraq,” the source added.

The dispute between the Coordination Framework and Al Sudani relates to the prime minister’s approval of US Federal Reserve policies to prevent currency smuggling. These measures reduced the circulation of US dollars in Iraq and increased the price of the dollar.

Al Sudani also implemented several policies that have boosted his popularity. He increased government salaries and wages for retirees, launched major development projects in the capital and several Iraqi governorates, and announced plans to improve infrastructure and expand the nation’s road network.

According to official statistics, Al Sudani also significantly reduced unemployment. In addition, he passed a social security law for workers in the private sector and announced a plan to build 1,000 schools and more than a million residential units.

Since mid-2023, at least 10 countries, including some in the Gulf Cooperation Council, have announced new investments in Iraq. The exchange rate of the dollar in the parallel market has also stabilized since November 2023.

A September 2023 opinion poll by the Government Advisory Board found that Al Sudani enjoys a 78% approval rate. Another poll by the nongovernmental Iraq Statistics Organization found him to have an approval rate of 51%, the highest of any Iraqi official.

Al Sudani has spurned many political allies and opponents. He did not support former Speaker of Parliament Mohamed al-Halbousi and worked for his removal. He also removed most of the leaders of the Popular Mobilization Forces—a group of Iranian-backed militias—from government positions.

The Iraqi government is currently weighing the question of changing the currency so that the official cost of a US dollar will be 1.32 Iraqi dinars instead of 1,320 dinars. Implementing such a decision is likely to significantly increase Al Sudani’s popularity.

Abbas al-Musawi, adviser to the former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, said in statements to Iraqi media that Al Sudani’s achievements are achievements “for everyone,” while also saying that Al Sudani will not be reelected as prime minister.

“We are not afraid of Al Sudani. We have our audience, and it is a stable audience,” al-Musawi said.

Al Sudani has faced heavy criticism on Iraqi television

Jaafar Al-Khudairi, a member of the National Wisdom Movement, one of the Shiite parties within the ruling Coordination Framework, told The Media Line, “The Dawa Party is trying to state that only its cadres are capable of running the state, but this is not true.”

He said that the parliament is discussing a new law regarding elections and that new elections might be called after that law’s passage.

Karar Sahib, director of the Iraqi Media Observatory, told The Media Line that Al Sudani has faced constant criticism on Iraqi television.

“There are channels affiliated with the Shiite religious parties, which were the most offensive, as they only showed the negative aspects of the decisions, and tried to exaggerate them,” he said.

He said that consistencies across different channels suggest that there may be a single writer behind the criticism.

Sahib defended Al Sudani’s achievements. “Iraq is now making an unprecedented renaissance,” he said. “It is true that the situation is still below ambition, but it is much better than before.”

Muhammad Al-Bouflah, a former professor of political science at the University of Baghdad, told The Media Line that the current political climate is a result of Al Sudani’s attempt to fracture the coalition.

He also said that the Coordination Framework will succeed in holding early elections only if Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr comes out in favor of the plan.

“I do not think that Muqtada al-Sadr will return to trusting the Coordination Framework after they removed him from the political process, and therefore the prime minister will continue to complete his term as president,” he said.

Former Member of Parliament Shaiban Al-Kilani told The Media Line that the disputes have to do with the different parties’ attempts to vie for power.

“The disputes are only over shares of the cake,” he said, “and are not disputes over the popularity of the current prime minister.”

Jpost.com/middle-east

4 parliamentary proposals to amend investment laws in Iraq… What about the problems?

Al-Sumaria News – Local… Member of the Parliamentary Investment and Development Committee, Saeb Al-Hajami, proposed today, Sunday, making four amendments to the investment laws in Iraq, while addressing the most important problems in the texts of these laws.

Al-Hajjami said, in an interview with Al-Sumaria News, that “amending investment laws in Iraq aims to create a more attractive environment for investors by improving some legal texts and simplifying procedures.”

Regarding the proposed amendments to investment laws, he pointed out “facilitating bureaucratic procedures, which reduces the time and effort required to obtain the necessary licenses and approvals to start investment projects.”

Al-Hajjami explained, “The other amendment is to provide legal guarantees, by giving investors guarantees that protect their investments from any sudden legal or political changes,” pointing out the importance of “improving infrastructure by providing advanced infrastructure that supports investment projects such as roads, electricity, and water.” .

He touched on “tax exemptions, by granting them to investors for certain periods of time to attract more investments.”

As for the problems in the texts of investment laws, he pointed to “ambiguity in some texts, which may open the way for multiple interpretations, in addition to legal instability, which may make the investment environment unstable.”

Al-Hajjami stated, “The other issue revolves around complex bureaucracy and long procedures, which may hinder the speed of starting investment projects.”

He stated, “Investment in Iraq can be mixed. While there are great opportunities thanks to the natural resources and strategic geographical location, the security and political challenges may affect the attractiveness of investment.”

Alsumaria.tv

Al-Sudani emphasizes extending the hand of the law and liberalizing and developing the economy

Information / Baghdad… Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani affirmed, on Sunday, continuing responsibility for Iraq’s sovereignty, extending the hand of the law, liberating and developing the economy, bringing about progress and development, creating creative opportunities, and combating all social ills and corruption in every corner where it hides.

Al-Sudani stated in a statement issued by his media office on the occasion of Eid Al-Adha, received by the Al-Maaloma Agency, “I extend my best congratulations and blessings to the honorable Iraqi people on the occasion of the blessed Eid Al-Adha, coupled with sincere prayers to the Almighty God, to repeat this occasion for our people in all parts of the world.” Mesopotamia and the peoples of the Arab and Islamic worlds, with more abundance of goodness and the blessing of security and stability, and to bestow His victory and mercy upon our patient people in Gaza, and to repel aggression from them.”

He added: “I turn to the Almighty to accept the good deeds of those who performed Hajj to His Sacred House, and to return our Iraqi pilgrims safely, winning God’s forgiveness and satisfaction, and enjoying His abundant mercy. He is the best Lord and Supporter.”

During his congratulations on Eid Al-Adha, the Prime Minister renewed the bond of responsibility and covenant with the Iraqi people of all categories and sects, to continue work and diligence, and to exert efforts and energies, to achieve all the components of the government program, which is a realistic extrapolation of the demands and aspirations of the people, and an actual and field response to confront everything that stands in the way. A path full of challenges and difficulties

Almaalomah.me

Biden is a weak and untrustworthy president

Information / translation… A report by the American newspaper Top Insight, confirmed that the world has come to see the resident of the White House as a weak and elderly man who is neither trustworthy nor stable in his convictions or mental abilities, and who is destroying America’s image before the international community.

The report, translated by the Maalouma Agency, stated, “The world has begun to see an almost elderly CEO struggling to maintain his position in front of short-term press conferences, as it appears that some questions have been revealed to the White House in advance, and Biden also slipped and fell several times during “He climbed the stairs to board Air Force One, to the point that his aides have now forced him to use the shorter stairs at the back of the plane.”

He added, “According to Special Counsel Robert Hoare, he issued a damning report describing him as an elderly man with a weak memory, while many critics revealed that Biden’s unusual State of the Union address was only possible because he took stimulants to keep him active during the ceremony.”

The report noted, “The White House has a history of concealing presidential illnesses from the public to project an image that presidents are healthy, capable, and active. In the case of Biden, his doctors tell us that he is healthy enough to run for a second term and complete his term, even though he will be 85 years old.” When he hands over the presidency to the winning candidate.”

Almaalomah.me

More than 100 suspended laws in the Iraqi Parliament

Shafaq News / Member of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, Muhammad Anouz, revealed on Sunday that the Iraqi Parliament is suffering from the disruption of more than 100 laws, including important laws that were withdrawn by the government to make amendments to them.

Anouz told Shafaq News Agency, “Among the suspended laws are the Flag Service Law, the National Oil Company Law, and the Federal Civil Service Law, in addition to many other laws.” He added, “These laws were withdrawn in an official letter by the government with the aim of amending them.”

Anouz explained that “other important laws that suffer from obstruction in the House of Representatives are halted for political and technical reasons, including the General Amnesty Law and the Federal Court Law.”

He expressed his hope that “these laws will be passed during the next legislative term.”

Shafaq.com

Biden is preparing a new anti-Tehran ambassador to Iraq

US President Joe Biden’s nominee for the position of ambassador to Iraq, Tracy Jacobson, surprised official and political Iraqi circles with unusual statements about Iranian influence and militias loyal to Tehran. Jacobson presented her opening speech before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and expressed her gratitude to President Biden and the Secretary of State for their confidence in her nomination. For this “vital position”.

It seems that the new ambassador, who will succeed another controversial ambassador, Elena Romanski, wanted to enter the Iraqi scene directly regarding the Iranian file. Jacobson confirmed that she will work closely with the committee to promote American interests in Iraq.

She said: “Our army provides vital support to the Iraqi security forces and the Peshmerga in the Kurdistan region. Ten years after our forces returned to Iraq to fight ISIS, it is time for our army to move into a new role. “I will ensure that any transition from Operation Inherent Resolve to a bilateral security arrangement is directed toward defeating ISIS and ensuring Iraq’s security.”

Jacobson stressed the importance of Iraq strengthening its relations with its neighbors, noting the positive steps taken by the Sudanese Prime Minister in this direction.

Jacobson pointed out that the presence of economic development, and a government capable of providing services to its people, reduces the attraction of terrorism, and also reduces the influence of militias allied with Iran, which pose a great danger to the future of the country. Iran is a “malignant actor”
and she said, “Iran is a malicious actor in Iraq.” “It is destabilizing to the region, and we realize that the main threat to Iraq is the militias allied with Iran.”

Observers believe that Jacobson’s appointment may mean a new path for American policy in conjunction with the transition of the security relationship after the international coalition to a sustainable security partnership, according to Iraqi government statements.

Since assuming office about two years ago, Al-Sudani wanted the relationship with the countries of the coalition against ISIS to be governed by a new equation different from what it was before.

At the beginning of this year, Al-Sudani announced the end of the international coalition’s mission and the transformation of relations between his countries and Iraq into bilateral relations. He also agreed with President Joe Biden in Washington to reactivate the strategic framework agreement between the two countries signed in 2008, which was ratified by the Iraqi parliament.

At a time when Sudanese made pledges to the parties demanding the withdrawal of the Americans from Iraq as occupying forces to end this presence in stages in accordance with the “Strategic Framework” agreement, it appears that the armed factions loyal to Iran were not convinced by all these pledges, because they have another strategy in dealing with the Americans that is not in In light of the nature of the Iraqi-American relationship, but rather in light of the critical balance between Washington and Tehran.

At the beginning of the American occupation of Iraq in 2003, Washington sent an ambassador, acting as governor-general, whose entire experience was combating terrorism, which did not pose a threat when the previous regime fell. He was Paul Bremer.

Although Bremer continued to rule Iraq for a full year, while it was governed in form by a ruling council composed of the so-called founding fathers of the post-Saddam Hussein regime.

While Bremer wanted to use his experience in combating terrorism, when he left the country in 2004, clouds of terrorist movements were clouding over the skies of Iraq, and he was replaced by a Muslim ambassador of Afghan origin, Zalmay Khalilzad, who quickly entered the power equation in a country that had just begun to share positions along sectarian lines. (Sunni – Shiite) and ethnic (Arab – Kurdish) without being able to achieve any progress at the level of strengthening constitutional institutions.

During the following years, Washington sent many ambassadors to Baghdad, none of them left an imprint in the context of relations between the two countries, while the matter differed with Romanski, and it is about to be more different with the next ambassador.

In this context, Yassin Al-Bakri, professor of political science at Al-Nahrain University, told Asharq Al-Awsat, “The new ambassador’s mission will be to arrange the transition in the security relationship and arrange the roles assigned to Washington, and she will try to gain the largest space of freedom of movement for Washington’s goals, while the confrontation between Washington and And Tehran is putting more pressure on its arms in Iraq.

Rawabetcenter.com

Al-Sudani: The Iraqi government is following a new approach aimed at activating the private sector

Shafaq News / Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani confirmed today, Saturday, that his government is following a new approach in its program aimed at activating the private sector in Iraq and achieving equality between it and the public sector in rights and social security.

This came during his meeting today with a number of young graduates from Dhi Qar Governorate, as part of his sovereignty’s communication with the youth, following up on their demands and listening to their vision, according to a statement issued by the Iraqi government.

At the beginning of the meeting, Al-Sudani touched on the fact that Dhi Qar possesses the elements of economic advancement, human resources and investment opportunities that go beyond its borders, stressing that the government guarantees the right to peaceful demonstration and the protection of demonstrators on the path of communicating demands and publicizing rights, in a way that does not negatively affect the work of projects and civil services.

He pointed out that the government is following a new approach in its program aimed at activating the private sector, to create more basic job opportunities in the continuation of economic development and advancement and efforts to attract investments, as well as working towards achieving equality with the public sector in rights, social security, distribution of residential lands, and others.

The Iraqi Prime Minister asked the young graduates to present their vision and demands, and propose solutions, especially with regard to comments regarding youth employment offices. In order to contribute to supporting the stability of the governorate and creating sustainable and productive development, attracting employment requests and cooperating in meeting them between public and private sector institutions and investment projects.

Al-Sudani directed the provision of a special program from the “Riyada” initiative to care and support youth, allocated to Dhi Qar Governorate, in proportion to the population ratios. In order to grant loans to emerging, small and medium enterprises, as well as directing government banks to grant operational loans, and giving priority to young people, graduates, qualified people, and certificate holders.

Shafaq.com

Tracy Jacobson: I will advance American interests and fight militia influence in Iraq

Shafaq News / Tracy Jacobson, US President Joe Biden’s nominee for the position of US Ambassador to Iraq, gave her opening remarks before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. In her speech, Jacobson expressed her gratitude to President Biden and the Secretary of State for their confidence in her nomination for this vital position.

Jacobson, who has more than 30 years of experience in the State Department, confirmed that she will work closely with the committee to advance American interests in Iraq.

“If confirmed, my top priorities will be protecting American citizens and strengthening our bilateral partnership to support our shared strategies and interests,” she said.

She pointed to her previous experience as US Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kosovo, as well as as Chargé d’Affairs at the US Embassy in Ethiopia, stressing that these experiences made her more qualified to promote US interests in Iraq.

Regarding security, Jacobson stressed the importance of enhancing the stability, security and sovereignty of Iraq, noting that ISIS still poses a threat in the region.

She added: “Our army provides vital support to the Iraqi Security Forces and Peshmerga in the Kurdistan Region. Ten years after our forces returned to Iraq to fight ISIS, it is time for our army to move into a new role. I will ensure that any transition from Operation Inherent Resolve to a bilateral security arrangement is directed towards Defeating ISIS and ensuring Iraq’s security.”

Jacobson also stressed the importance of Iraq strengthening its relations with its neighbors, noting the positive steps taken by the Sudanese Prime Minister in this direction.

Jacobson pointed out that the presence of economic development, and a government capable of providing services to its people, reduces the attraction of terrorism and also reduces the influence of militias allied with Iran, which pose a great danger to the future of the country.

She said, “Iran is a malicious actor in Iraq and destabilizes the region. We realize that the main threat to Iraq is the militias allied with Iran.”

Jacobson also confirmed that she would continue to support Treasury measures to modernize the Iraqi banking system, and stressed that she would not “allow Iran to use the gas supplied to operate the stations as a weapon against Iraq.”

On the other hand, Jacobson warned of “Iran’s evil intentions and its continued role in disturbing the security situation in the region,” stressing that “the Iranian-backed militias pose a great threat to the stability of Iraq, and that they will work with all available political means to confront this threat and limit Iranian influence.”

In the context of supporting Iraq, Jacobson announced her commitment to strengthening vital sectors such as energy and banking, with the aim of achieving Iraq’s independence, protecting it from external interference, and linking it to the global system to achieve sustainable development and enhance economic stability.

It should be noted that this opening speech comes prior to the vote on Jacobson’s appointment as US Ambassador to Iraq, which represents a new strategic step in US foreign policy towards the Middle East.

Jacobson concluded her speech by emphasizing her commitment to protecting American interests and working for the stability and security of Iraq if her appointment is confirmed.

On January 26, 2024, US President Joe Biden announced his intention to nominate Tracy Ann Jacobson for the position of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Iraq, replacing Elena Romanski.

Shafaq.com

The state of law talks about the possibility of changing the candidates for the presidency of Parliament

Information / Baghdad… The leader of the State of Law coalition, Haider Al-Lami, confirmed today, Friday, the possibility of changing the candidates for the presidency of Parliament.

Al-Lami told Al-Maalouma Agency, “The Shiites and Kurds asked the Sunnis to agree on one candidate for the presidency of the House of Representatives.”

He described the House of Representatives session, in which votes were placed on the candidates for the presidency of the House, as a “farce.”

He explained, “The alignments that created the presidential crisis were the reason for the continuation of the struggle over this position,” noting, “The situation remaining as it is will leave Parliament without a president until the end of the current parliamentary session.”

Almaalomah.me

Iraqi Dinar / US Dollar auction results for today 6-13-2024

Results of the foreign currency selling window for Thursday 6/13/2024

Advertisement No. (5146)

The amount:

Total amounts of transfers abroad (transfers, credits)
261,164,109

Total cash withdrawals
15,580,000

Total total sales
276,744,109

Note that: The selling price of documentary credits and international settlements for electronic cards is ( 1310 ) dinars per dollar.

The selling price for transfer amounts abroad is ( 1310 ) dinars per dollar.
The cash selling price is ( 1305 ) dinars per dollar.

cbi.iq/currency_auction