Special Representative Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert reports that four months after the parliamentary elections, politicians are still struggling to form a government.
‘Precious time’ is passing
Grandma badd.
“But so far, we are observing the exact opposite: thwarting the change and reform that the country desperately needs.”
Ms Hennis-Plasschaert added that as the “political deadlock” continued, “precious time” was passing.
“Behind the massive debate over majority government versus consensus, many Iraqis increasingly wonder if national interests are really at the heart of ongoing negotiations – rather than access to resources and power, or the pie of political appointments and ministries. will be engraved around this time. ”
‘Not yet’
Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert, who also heads the UN mission in the country, UNAMIAmbassadors updated on recent developments since the October 2021 vote to decide the Representative Council, Iraq’s 329-seat parliament, which elects President and confirms Prime Minister respectively.
Members met for the first time last month and elected one Speaker and two delegates. However, they failed to reach the number of delegates for the February 7 session to elect the President.
While the nomination period reopened in three days, the Federal Supreme Court ruled provisionally that one candidate, former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, was ineligible.
Ms. Hennis-Plasschaert explained that once elected, the President will have 15 days to take charge of the Prime Minister-designate, the candidate of the largest parliamentary bloc, to form the Council of Ministers.
“Clearly, the current situation shows that we are not there yet,” she commented.
With the election so far away, the UN special envoy stressed that addressing the “long list of prominent domestic businesses” must be a priority.
UN photo / Loey Felipe
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Assistance Mission to Iraq, briefed the Security Council on the situation in the country.
The risk of ‘weak home front’
Leaders must also focus on the Iraqi people, whose needs include productive employment opportunities, safety and security, adequate public service delivery, justice, and meaningful participation. of women and young people.
“Moreover, and as I have pointed out countless times, a weak home front creates many holes. For Da’esh, for example, is ready to take advantage of any political and security vacuum. But also to continue to interfere from the outside. In the case of Iraq, not a hypothetical point,” she speaks.
With people’s patience dwindling, the UN special envoy warned of potential consequences, recalling protests in October 2019 against a lack of social and economic prospects. and politics.
“We know how that ended. Hundreds of people were killed; thousands of people were injured. The least Iraqis can expect now is a sense of urgency from their elected representatives,” she said.
“It is imperative for Iraq’s political leaders to overcome divisions, set aside partisanship and bury personal interests.”
