Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Iraq President Rejects Iran-Backed Bloc's Nominee as PM
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
December 26, 2019

Share

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s president refused Thursday to designate the Iran-backed parliamentary bloc’s nominee for prime minister after he was rejected by anti-government protesters, saying he was prepared to submit his resignation to Parliament.
Barham Saleh said in a statement issued by his office that he would not name the governor of the southern Basra province, Asaad al-Eidani, as the country’s next prime minister “to avoid more bloodshed and in order to safeguard civil peace.”
Al-Eidani’s name was proposed Wednesday by the Fatah bloc, which includes leaders associated with the Iran-supported paramilitary Popular Mobilization Forces. However, he was promptly rejected by Iraqi protesters, who poured into the streets to denounce his nomination over megaphones, calling for an independent candidate.
Saleh, in the statement addressed to the parliament speaker, said his refusal to designate al-Eidani could be construed as a violation of the constitution and said he was therefore putting his resignation at the disposal of Parliament. He stopped short of actually submitting his resignation, leaving it up to the lawmakers to decide “as they see fit.”
The move plunges the war-scarred country into further uncertainty and deepens a political impasse amid unprecedented mass protests that erupted on Oct. 1. The leaderless protesters are calling for the overthrow of Iraq’s entire political class over corruption and mismanagement. The protests, concentrated in Baghdad and the mostly Shiite-inhabited south, have also turned into an uprising against Iran’s political and military influence in the country.

Photo of mourners carrying the body of their fellow protestor
Mourners carry the body of their fellow protester Ameer al-Jalabib onto the top of cement blocks that separate them from riot police on a bridge, under a poster with his picture, his name and Arabic that reads “the hero Martyr,” during his funeral in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019. Ameer succumbed to his wounds on Wednesday after being injured during anti-government demonstrations on October 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser)

Protesters Gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square

Shortly after he issued his statement Thursday, Saleh left Baghdad, headed to his hometown in the northern city of Sulaimaniyah.

“This is a victory for the demonstrators and a victory for the blood of the martyrs. Because of street pressure, the candidate of the (political) parties was rejected, and we will not accept and we will not return to our homes if the party candidate is nominated.” — activist Hassanein Gharib
It was not clear how parliament would react to the resignation offer. According to the constitution, parliament has seven days to accept or reject a president’s resignation before it automatically goes into effect, and Saleh’s move did not amount to a resignation.
Protesters gathered in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, which has emerged as a focal point of the protests, celebrated Saleh’s decision.
“This is a victory for the demonstrators and a victory for the blood of the martyrs,” said activist Hassanein Gharib. “Because of street pressure, the candidate of the (political) parties was rejected, and we will not accept and we will not return to our homes if the party candidate is nominated.”
A leading politician and former government official familiar with the latest developments said the situation was now open to all possibilities after Saleh offered to resign. He added that the president traveled to Sulaimaniyah in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region to get away from the pressures being exerted on him.
“The situation is very dangerous. Iraq is going through a real crisis that may lead to the collapse of the state,” he warned, speaking on condition of anonymity to divulge sensitive information.

There Are Two Main Blocs in the Iraqi Parliament

Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi submitted his resignation late last month under mounting pressure from the protesters calling for his ouster. More than 450 people have been killed since October, the vast majority of them protesters killed by security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition.
According to Iraq’s constitution, the largest bloc in parliament is required to nominate the new prime minister, who then has to be designated by the president. A deadline to name a new prime minister has been missed twice over disagreements on which is the largest bloc in the parliament following last year’s elections.
There are two main blocs in the Iraqi Parliament — Sairoon, led by populist Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, and Fatah, headed by Hadi al-Amiri. But the numbers in the blocs have continued to change since last year’s elections, with an unknown number of lawmakers leaving some blocs and joining others.
Last Saturday, Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court provided guidance in a statement, but stopped short of naming the largest bloc. It said the decision should be based on parliament’s first session after taking office last year. But the court also said it would accept if two or more lists had merged to become the largest bloc.
The same day, President Saleh sent the court’s response to parliament, asking the legislature to say which is the largest bloc.
A Facebook page close to al-Sadr commented on the president’s position saying: “Thank you, Mr. President, for rejecting the candidates that the people reject, a position that history, and the (Iraqi) people and the (Shiite religious) authority will record.”
[activecampaign form=29]

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Yastrzemski and Chapman Homers Help Giants Rally Past the Brewers

DON'T MISS

Fresno City Council Finally Passes a Tough Smoke Shop Ordinance

DON'T MISS

Fresno Unified Trustee Wittrup Says District Had Stronger Candidates Than Misty Her

DON'T MISS

Trump Poised to Offer Saudi Arabia Over $100 Billion Arms Package, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Lights, Camera, Board Vote: Fresno Unified’s Carefully Choreographed Production

DON'T MISS

US Farm Agency Withdraws Proposal Aimed at Lowering Salmonella Risks in Poultry

DON'T MISS

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

DON'T MISS

Candi Is the Dandy to Add a Little Sweetness to Your Life

DON'T MISS

How Trump Tariffs Could Upend California Farms, Wine Businesses, and Ports

DON'T MISS

Tulare Man Sentenced to State Prison for DUI Crash That Injured Two Women

UP NEXT

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

UP NEXT

Two From Search Group That Uncovered Mexico’s ‘Ranch of Horror’ Killed

UP NEXT

Chicago Bears Great Steve McMichael Dies at 67 After Battle With ALS

UP NEXT

Long Wait Is Over for Cam Ward, Travis Hunter and Other Draft Prospects Joining the NFL

UP NEXT

Golden State’s Jimmy Butler Injured in Game 2 Loss, His Status for Game 3 Unknown

UP NEXT

Jalen Green Makes Eight 3s to Help Rockets Even Series With Warriors

UP NEXT

Israeli Fire Kills at Least 44 People in Gaza, Hits a Police Station

UP NEXT

Trump Tells Putin to ‘STOP’ After Russian Attacks Kills 10 in Kyiv

UP NEXT

US Justice Department Directs Investigations Over Gender-Affirming Care

UP NEXT

Earthquake of Magnitude 6.02 Strikes Turkey, GFZ Says

Trump Poised to Offer Saudi Arabia Over $100 Billion Arms Package, Sources Say

11 hours ago

Lights, Camera, Board Vote: Fresno Unified’s Carefully Choreographed Production

12 hours ago

US Farm Agency Withdraws Proposal Aimed at Lowering Salmonella Risks in Poultry

12 hours ago

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

12 hours ago

Candi Is the Dandy to Add a Little Sweetness to Your Life

13 hours ago

How Trump Tariffs Could Upend California Farms, Wine Businesses, and Ports

13 hours ago

Tulare Man Sentenced to State Prison for DUI Crash That Injured Two Women

14 hours ago

Judge Partly Blocks Trump Order Seeking to Overhaul US Elections

15 hours ago

Two From Search Group That Uncovered Mexico’s ‘Ranch of Horror’ Killed

15 hours ago

US Warns States They Could Lose Transportation Funding Over Immigration, DEI Policies

15 hours ago

Yastrzemski and Chapman Homers Help Giants Rally Past the Brewers

SAN FRANCISCO — Mike Yastrzemski and Matt Chapman homered as the San Francisco Giants rallied to beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5 on Thursday ...

9 hours ago

9 hours ago

Yastrzemski and Chapman Homers Help Giants Rally Past the Brewers

9 hours ago

Fresno City Council Finally Passes a Tough Smoke Shop Ordinance

11 hours ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Wittrup Says District Had Stronger Candidates Than Misty Her

President Donald Trump delivers remarks during an 'Unleashing American Energy' event at the Department of Energy in Washington, U.S., June 29, 2017. (REUTERS File)
11 hours ago

Trump Poised to Offer Saudi Arabia Over $100 Billion Arms Package, Sources Say

12 hours ago

Lights, Camera, Board Vote: Fresno Unified’s Carefully Choreographed Production

Chickens sit at a poultry farm. March 12, 2025. (REUTERS/Diego Vara/File Photo)
12 hours ago

US Farm Agency Withdraws Proposal Aimed at Lowering Salmonella Risks in Poultry

12 hours ago

On Major Economic Decisions, Trump Blinks, and Then Blinks Again

Candi, GV Wire's Adoptable Cat of the Week
13 hours ago

Candi Is the Dandy to Add a Little Sweetness to Your Life

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend