Abadi has promised anti-corruption reforms since entering office, but had his agenda derailed by parliamentary opposition late last year. The efforts gained new momentum with pressure from prominent Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who in February began organizing large protests in support of appointees who do not have political affiliations. In announcing the slate of appointees to parliament on Thursday, Abadi thanked Sadr for his support, and afterwards Sadr called the proposed cabinet “courageous” and ended a sit-in by his supporters in Baghdad’s Green Zone. “Our efforts have been rewarded,” he told the crowd, who chanted back, “We will never be humiliated!” The parliament has 10 days to review and vote on Abadi’s nominees and has postponed their next session until tomorrow to review the list of appointments.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced a slate of new cabinet ministers yesterday. The new appointees are technocrats of diverse backgrounds. “They were chosen on the basis of professionalism, competence, integrity, and leadership ability," Abadi said in remarks to the Iraqi parliament. "Most of [the nominees] have academic credentials, but they all have experience of working in a senior executive position, managing, or administrating," Sajad Jiyad, an Iraqi political analyst, told Reuters.
Abadi has promised anti-corruption reforms since entering office, but had his agenda derailed by parliamentary opposition late last year. The efforts gained new momentum with pressure from prominent Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who in February began organizing large protests in support of appointees who do not have political affiliations. In announcing the slate of appointees to parliament on Thursday, Abadi thanked Sadr for his support, and afterwards Sadr called the proposed cabinet “courageous” and ended a sit-in by his supporters in Baghdad’s Green Zone. “Our efforts have been rewarded,” he told the crowd, who chanted back, “We will never be humiliated!” The parliament has 10 days to review and vote on Abadi’s nominees and has postponed their next session until tomorrow to review the list of appointments.
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