Powersharing dead, says largest bloc in Iraqi government

IRAQI LEGISLATORS approved on Saturday a powersharing deal reached last week after eight months of bickering between the two rival blocs that won most seats in the assembly. Its third session since the March 7th election was presided over by Usamah al-Nujaifi, the newly elected speaker, and was attended by all the political blocs that signed the agreement.

During last Thursday’s session, deputies from the secular Iraqiya bloc, the largest faction, stormed out before the re-election of Jalal Talabani, a Kurd, to the presidency, and his designation of incumbent Shia leader Nuri al-Maliki, head of the second largest faction, as prime minister. Iraqiya withdrew because the assembly did not promptly lift bans on three senior Iraqiya lawmakers who were alleged to have ties to the outlawed Baath party.

Iraqiya spokesman Haidar al-Mulla said the walkout was a result of a “misunderstanding”.

He said, “Iraqiya will take an active role in a government that will work towards real national participation in accordance with agreements we reached with the other political blocs.”

However, Iraqiya’s head, Iyad Allawi, did not attend the session, the third since the results of the election were declared.

He announced, “Powersharing is dead now . . . I will not be a part of this theatre.” He is currently in London where his family lives. It appears he has been unable to carry the majority of deputies in his faction, including the speaker and legislators who have not been able to take up their seats because of the ban.

Talal al-Zowbay, an Iraqiya member, said he did not think Mr Allawi will act on his threat. “We believe in participating in the government and the political process,” Mr Zowbay said.

Mr Allawi, who insists he is the rightful prime minister because Iraqiya won a large number of seats, is likely to decide whether or not to go along with the deal when it becomes clear what sort of role he will have in the new government. This will not happen until parliament adopts a draft law for the creation of a national council for strategic policies, to be chaired by Mr Allawi, who has been promised considerable authority over security issues. Since this would mean a reduction of the prime minister’s monopoly over the police and armed forces, Mr Maliki could be expected to resist such legislation.

The assembly is scheduled to meet on November 21st, after the feast that concludes the Hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca and Mount Arafat in Saudi Arabia. Mr Maliki will have until the end of December to form a government.