Iraq’s parliament approves reform plan in rare show of unity

Afterwards, the parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri read an additional package of 25-point plan suggested by the parliament blocs, and the lawmakers again unanimously approved it.

Abadi on Sunday proposed a series of measures to combat graft, streamline the government and improve services after the protests and a call from Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani for drastic change.

However, people believe that corruption and incompetence were the main reasons behind the failure rebuilding the country’s economy and the public services, including the power sector.

The parliamentary plan was also read and approved without debate, and the session – most of which was taken up by the reading of the two plans – ended some 30 minutes after it began.

The plan, which was unveiled by al-Abadi and approved by his Cabinet on Sunday, would cut spending and eliminate the offices of the three vice presidents and the three deputy prime ministers, largely symbolic positions for which appointments have long been determined by party patronage and sectarian loyalties.

According to Parliament Speaker Saleem al-Jabouri, the reform package was adopted unanimously in a session of parliament attended by 295 deputies.

Abadi may also face opposition from Kurdish leaders, who have expressed concern that the removal of an ethnic quota system would weaken their power and solidify Shiite rule. However, he criticised the cabinet for giving the green light to Al-Abadi’s reforms package.

Abadi’s plan also includes a requirement for a number of government positions to be filled with political independents – a move aimed at cracking down on corruption. Allawi told reporters on Monday that Abadi is overriding the constitution, and called on Iraqis to protest and demand early elections if the prime minister “failed to carry out his responsibilities”. The plunge in crude prices and Iraq’s battle against Islamic State militants has depleted the state coffers, and the government recently took a bailout from the global Monetary Fund to meets its budget deficit.