Iraqi government vows to carry out series of planned reforms

The Iraqi government has pledged to carry out a series of planned reforms following an “extraordinary” session and several days after sporadic protests against alleged economic difficulties started in the Arab country.

The cabinet of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi early on Sunday issued a decree on implementing more than a dozen planned reforms, including land distributions, military enlistment, and increased welfare stipends for poor families.

Starting Tuesday, protests were staged in Baghdad and a number of other cities mainly against failing public services and unemployment. In some cases, the demonstrations turned violent as protesters and riot police clashed.

The government pledged on Sunday that it would create large market complexes and boost benefits for the unemployed, in a clear response to youth unemployment, which is about 25 percent, according to the World Bank.

The plan also includes a wide ministerial reshuffle and the formation of a high constitutional body to deal with corruption cases submitted to the country’s Supreme Judiciary Council. 

The Iraqi premier had earlier called on the three branches of the government to cooperate in his plans to purge the country of corruption.

On Friday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi had vowed to implement plans to generate housing, employment, and health “within a time frame.” He supported the protesters’ demands, promising that the legislature would work on combating corruption, which he said was “as dangerous as terrorism.”

SS