2010 Iraqi government formation

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In the aftermath of the election, great attention was given to the decision on who should be the next Iraqi PM. Both al-Iraqiyya's Allawi and the State of Law coalition's al-Maliki laid claim to the post, so it was seen as up to the Kurdish parties and the Iraqi National Alliance to decide this matter.

One of the two main components of the INA, the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, stated it would not join any government that did not include former PM Allawi; the other main component, the Sadrist Movement, held an unofficial referendum on 2 and 3 April 2010 on who should be PM. The possible choices were Allawi, al-Maliki, former PM Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Adel Abdel Mahdi from the SIIC, and Jaafar al-Sadr (a little-known MP from al-Maliki's Dawa Party, son of its ideological founder Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr).[1] On 7 April 2010, results were announced, according to which al-Jaafari had won with 24% of the vote.[2] Jaafari had originally been a member of al-Maliki's Dawa Party, but had left it in 2008 to found his own party, the National Reform Trend, as whose lone MP he was elected in this election.

The full results of the 1.43 million ballots cast in the unofficial Sadrist referendum were as follows:[3][4][5]

Candidate Party Election List Percentage
Ibrahim al-Jaafari National Reform Trend National Iraqi Alliance 24%
Jaafar al-Sadr Islamic Da'awa Party State of Law Coalition 23%
Qusay al-Suhail Sadr Movement National Iraqi Alliance 17%
Nouri al-Maliki Islamic Da'awa Party State of Law Coalition 10%
Ayad Allawi Iraqi National Accord al-Iraqiyya 9%
Baha Araji Sadr Movement National Iraqi Alliance 5%
Ahmad Chalabi Iraqi National Congress National Iraqi Alliance 3%
Adil Abd al-Mahdi Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq National Iraqi Alliance 2%
Rafi al-Issawi National Future Gathering al-Iraqiyya 2%
Other — — 5%

After months of negotiations the National Iraqi Alliance and the State of Law Coalition agreed to merging into one parliamentary bloc of 159 seats, the bloc would be 4 seats short of a majority but would have the right for government formation.[6] However the bloc has to date still not appointed a prime ministerial candidate.[7] The bloc, called the National Alliance, was formally formed on 11 June 2010. The new parliament opened on 14 June 2010.[8] However, talks between the National Iraqi Alliance and al-Iraqiyya continued.[9] On 3 September 2010 the National Iraqi Alliance nominated Adil Abdul-Mahdi as the coalition's nominee for Prime Minister, making it unclear which candidate the National Alliance bloc would ultimately choose.[10]

The President of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud Barzani announced the four major Kurdish lists: the Kurdistani List, the Gorran List, the Kurdistan Islamic Union and the Islamic Group of Kurdistan agreed to merging into one parliamentary bloc of 57 seats, called the Coalition of Kurdistan Lists or Kurdistan Blocs Coalition (KBC).[11] On 30 October, however the Nawshirwan Mustafa's Gorran Movement (announced their withdrawal from the KBC due to a dispute between Gorran and the ruling KDP-PUK coalition in the Kurdistan Autonomous Republic. This reduced the bloc to 49 seats[12] In August the KBC announced 19 demands which would have to be agreed upon by al-Maliki or Allawi for them to join their government.[13] The Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq then agreed to all 19 demands.[14] Incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki agreed to 18 out of 19 demands (including implementation of article 140), only disagreeing with the demand that the government were to resign if the Kurdistan Alliance withdraws.[15] Al-Iraqiya, however, rejected 9 of the Kurdish demands, including the demands for a Kurdish presidency, Iraqi government funding of the Peshmerga and for the implementation of article 140 of the Iraqi constitution.[16]

Incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki also visited Iran amid drawn out coalition talks.[17] The trip came amid reports from the Los Angeles Times and the Guardian that Iran had been directly involved trying to bring about a Shia coalition by convincing Muqtada al-Sadr to back an al-Maliki-led government, and thus increase Iran's influence in Iraq against those supported by the West. Iyad Allawi's bloc, which won a plurality, would then be sidelined. As such Allawi claimed to CNN that Iran was "trying to wreak havoc on the region, [by] trying to destabilise the region by destabilising Iraq, and destabilising Lebanon and destabilising the Palestinian issue. This is where unfortunately Iraq and the rest of the greater Mideast is falling victim to these terrorists who are definitely Iran-financed and supported by various governments in the region." His deputy was also alleged to have said "Iranian involvement amounts to a takeover of Iraq."[18] While the West expressed worry about Iran's growing influence and potential influence in Iraq, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, in responding to al-Maliki description that mutual relations were strategic and amicable, "Despite relative stability in Iraq, the country is still suffering from insecurity and part of this insecurity is resulted from the pressures that are exerted by some powers whose political interests lie in creating insecurity in Iraq."[19] Following his visit to Iran, al-Maliki also visited Syria, Jordan and Egypt, where he said a new government could be imminent as "discussions are taking place, we are now at the end of the tunnel, at the end of the road. If God allows, this government will emerge soon."[20] A few days later, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad talked to his Iraqi counterpart Jalal Talabani and said he "hope[s] that with the formation of a new Iraqi government, bilateral ties will expand in different areas, especially in the economic and political fields."[21]

Saudi Arabia also offered to host an all-party conference in November to break the deadlock in government formation. However, al-Maliki's bloc turned down the proposal amid concerns over foreign interference.[22] The National Alliance issued a statement saying: "Though we express our appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its concern about the situation in Iraq and its willingness to provide support, we would like to confirm Iraqi leaders are continuing their meetings to reach a national consensus." a statement issued by the alliance, said. The Kurdish Alliance also reportedly supported the statement. While Iraqiya welcomed the Saudi initiative. "We ask all political blocs to welcome the initiative, preventing Iraq's security situation from deteriorating."[23] The United States also called for an "inclusive government." It said that Allawi and others from Iraqiya, as well as all the "winning blocs" should hold "leadership posts" in a new government.[24] In early October the National Alliance (consisting of State of Law and the NIA) nominated Nouri al-Maliki as their Prime Minister candidate after Muqtada al-Sadr and al-Maliki struck a deal together.[25][26] This however led to a split within the National Alliance (159 seats) as the ISCI-bloc (which including Badr and Hezbollah holds 19 seats), the Islamic Fadhila Party (6 seats) and the Gathering of Justice and Unity (1 seat)[27] left the alliance to create an alliance with Ayad Allawi's al-Iraqiyya (91 seats).[28] The Iraqiyya led bloc nominated prominent ISCI politician and at the time Vice-President Adil Abd al-Mahdi as Prime Minister.[29] Meanwhile, the two minor Sunni blocs, Unity Alliance of Iraq and the Iraqi Accord Front merged into one 10-seat bloc, called the Center Current, which entered into negotiations with both major blocs for coalition partnerships.[30] However, both blocs needed the support of Kurdish parties to gain a parliamentary majority, this support was eventually given to al-Maliki's bloc after he agreed to all 19 Kurdish demands, which led to the re-uniting of the National Alliance.[31]

On 24 October, the Supreme Court of Iraq ordered the parliament to reconvene and elect a new speaker.[32][33][34] The court ordered a parliamentary speaker to be chosen on 8 November[35] The day before the vote for parliamentary speaker, a power-sharing accord was agreed to that would allow al-Maliki to continues as PM. As talks to form a new government reached a climax al-Maliki and Allawi were scheduled to attend a ceremony in Arbil, the capital of the autonomous region of Kurdistan, to make a formal announcement in regards to the agreement. Iraqiya MP Jamal al-Butikh then said an agreement was reached after assurances that "no political decision would be made without its agreement."[36] At one point, Iraqiya staged a walkout after al-Nujaifi declined a request to vote on the removal of three parliament members' names because of affiliation to the deposed Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath Party.[37] They later said the walkout was a misunderstanding.[38]

During the parliamentary session on 11 November, Osama al-Nujaifi, a Sunni Arab from Iraqiya's al-Hadba Party was elected to be parliamentary speaker, with prominent Sadrist leader Qusay al-Suhail chosen as his first deputy and Arif Tayfur (a leading member of Massoud Barzani's Kurdistan Democratic Party[39]) was re-elected to the post of second deputy speaker.[40] Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Jalal Talabani was re-elected as President, al-Maliki was re-elected as prime minister and Allawi had reportedly agreed to head a new security council.[37] Massoud Barzani, the president of Kurdistan region said that it was a great victory for the Iraqi people, which came at a late stage.[41] A third session of the new parliament on 21 November still did not come to an agreement on who would run the new government.[42]

New parliamentary blocs

During the government formation process numerous lists fused together to form larger parliamentary blocs.

Parliamentary Bloc Alliances Leader Seats Percentage Source
National Alliance State of Law Coalition,
National Iraqi Alliance		 Ibrahim al-Jaafari 159 48.92% [1]
al-Iraqiya al-Iraqiyya Hasan Khalaf al-Jibburi 91 28%
Kurdistan Blocs Coalition Kurdistani List,
Kurdistan Islamic Union,
Islamic Group of Kurdistan		 Fuad Masum 49 15.08% [2]
Center Current al-Tawafuq,
Unity Alliance of Iraq		 Iyad al-Samara'i 10 3.08% [3]
Gorran Bloc Gorran Movement Shorsh Haji[43] 8 2.46% [4]
National Rafidain List Assyrian Democratic Movement Yonadam Kanna 3 0.92% [5]
CSAPC Chaldean Syriac Assyrian
Popular Council		 Sarkis Aghajan 2 0.65% [6]
Independents — — 3 —

New government

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Main article: Al Maliki II Government

On December 22, parliament unanimously approved al-Maliki's new government. Twenty-nine ministers were approved, including Shias, Sunnis and Kurds. In reaction, al-Maliki issued his new government's programme and also vowed to make Iraq a "truly democratic state that respects human rights." However, he criticised the lack of any female nominees and warned that "given the circumstances it has been created under, this government does not satisfy the people nor the needs of our country. The effort and the will to make it work in the best possible way it can is there."

In the new government al-Maliki became acting Minister of Defence, Interior, and National Security. Thus, essentially giving al-Maliki full control of the military. These positions were meant to be temporary until appropriate candidates could be found, however al-Maliki remained in them until the end of his term.[44] Former Oil Minister Hussein Shahristani would become Deputy Prime Minister for Energy. The former Deputy Prime Minister Rafi al-Issawi would become Finance Minister. Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari will continue in his post. Saleh al-Mutlaq was also controversially appointed a Deputy Prime Minister after a ban on him taking part in politics as a former Ba'athist. Thirteen more ministerial posts had acting ministers as al-Maliki said "The formation of national unity government in Iraq is a difficult and hard task because we need to find place in the government for all those who participated and won in the elections."[45]

Portfolio Website Minister Coalition Party Dates
Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [46]
Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Hussain al-Shahristani State of Law Coalition independent 2010-12-21 - [46]
Deputy Prime Minister Saleh al-Mutlaq Iraqiyya Iraqi National Dialogue Front 2010-12-21 - [46]
Deputy Prime Minister Rowsch Nuri Shaways Kurdistan List Kurdistan Democratic Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Sovereign Ministries
Defense Minister www.mod.mil.iq (acting) Nouri al-Maliki State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - 2011-08-17[47]
Saadoun al-Dulaimi State of Law Coalition Unity Alliance of Iraq 2011-08-17 - [48]
Finance Minister www.mof.gov.iq Rafi al-Issawi Iraqiyya National Future Gathering 2010-12-21 - [46]
Foreign Minister www.mofa.gov.iq Hoshyar Zebari Kurdistan List Kurdistan Democratic Party 2010-12-21 - [46]
Interior Minister www.moi.gov.iq (acting) Nouri al-Maliki State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Oil Minister www.oil.gov.iq Abdul Karim Luaibi State of Law Coalition independent [47]
Other Ministries
Agriculture Minister Izz al-Din al-Dawla Iraqiyya al-Hadba 2010-12-21 - [47]
Communications Minister www.iraqimoc.net
www.nmc.gov.iq		 Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi Iraqiyya Iraqi National Accord 2010-12-21 - [47]
Construction & Housing Minister www.moch.gov.iq Muhammad al-Darraji National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [49][50]
Culture Minister www.mocul.gov.iq Saadoun al-Dulaimi Unity Alliance of Iraq independent 2010-12-21 - [49]
Displacement and Migration Minister ww.momd.gov.iq Dindar Najman Kurdistan Islamic Union 2010-12-21 - [47]
Education Minister Mohammed Tamim Iraqiyya Iraqi National Dialogue Front 2010-12-21 - [47]
Electricity Minister www.moelc.gov.iq Hussain al-Shahristani (acting) State of Law Coalition Independent 2010-12-21 - 2011-02-13 [49][51]
Raad Shallal al-Ani Iraqiyya al-Hal 2011-02-13[52] - 2011-08-08 [53]
Abdulkarim Aftan Iraqiyya 2011-12-12 - [54]
Environment Minister www.moen.gov.iq Sargon Lazon Sliwah National Rafidain List Assyrian Democratic Movement 2010-12-21 - [49]
Health Minister www.moh.gov.iq Dr. Majeed Hamad Ameen  ?  ?  ?
Higher Education & Scientific Research Minister www.mohesr.gov.iq Ali al-Adeeb State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [46]
Human Rights Minister www.humanrights.gov.iq Muhammad Shiya al-Sudani State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [46]
Industry & Minerals Minister www.industry.gov.iq Ahmad Nassar Dali al-Karbouli Iraqiyya Renewal List 2010-12-21 - [46]
Justice Minister www.moj.gov.iq Hasan al-Shammari National Iraqi Alliance Islamic Virtue Party 2010-12-21 - [46]
Labour & Social Affairs Minister www.molsa.gov.iq Nassar al-Rubayie National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [47]
Municipalities and Public Works Minister www.mmpw.gov.iq (acting) Dindar Najman Kurdistan Islamic Union 2010-12-21 - [47]
Science & Technology Minister www.most.gov.iq Abd al-Karim al-Samarrai Iraqiyya Renewal List 2010-12-21 - [47]
Trade Minister www.mot.gov.iq (acting) Rowsch Nuri Shaways Kurdistan List Kurdistan Democratic Party 2010-12-32 - [47]
Khairalla Hasan Babiker Kurdistan List 2011-02-13 - [52]
Transport Minister www.motrans.gov.iq Hadi Al-Amiri National Iraqi Alliance Badr Organization 2010-12-21 - [46]
Tourism & Antiquities Minister Liwaa Semeism National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [47]
Water Resources Minister www.mowr.gov.iq Mohaned al-Saadi National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [47]
Women's Affairs Minister (acting) Hoshyar Zebari Kurdistan List Kurdistan Democratic Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Works & Planning Minister (acting) Nassar al-Rubayie National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [47]
Youth & Sport Minister www.moys.gov.iq Jasim Mohammed Jaafar State of Law Coalition Islamic Union of Iraqi Turkoman 2010-12-21 - [46]
Ministers of State
Minister of State and Government spokesman www.goi-s.com Ali al-Dabbagh State of Law Coalition Independent Iraqi Kafaat Gathering 2010-12-21 - [46][55]
Minister of State for Parliament Affairs Safa al-Safi State of Law Coalition independent 2010-12-21 - [46]
Minister of State Abd al-Mahdi al-Mutayri National Iraqi Alliance Sadrist Movement 2010-12-21 - [46]
Minister of State Bushra Husseing Saleh National Iraqi Alliance Islamic Virtue Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State Hassan Radia al-Sari National Iraqi Alliance Hezbollah Movement in Iraq

2010-12-21 - [46]
Minister of State Yassin Mohammed Ahmed Iraqi National Alliance ISCI 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State for National Reconciliation Amer al-Khizaii  ???  ??? 2010-12-21 - [49]
Minister of State for National Dialogue (acting) Ali al-Adeeb State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ali Abdullah al-Sajeri Unity Alliance of Iraq Iraqi Constitutional Party 2010-12-21 - [49]
Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Hussein Ali al-Shaalan Iraqiyya Iraqi National List 2010-12-21 - [49]
Minister of State Salah Mazahem al-Jibouri Iraqiyya Iraqi National Dialogue Front 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State Nurhan  ???  ??? 2010-12-21 - [49]
Minister of State for National Security (acting) Nouri al-Maliki State of Law Coalition Islamic Dawa Party 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Turhan Abdullah Iraqiyya Iraqi Turkmen Front 2010-12-21 - [47]
Minister of State for Non-Governmental Organizations  ??? Kurdistan List  ??? 2010-12-21 - [47]
Repercussions

Following the formation of a government and his blocs strong showing Muqtada al-Sadr returned to Najaf from exile in Iran in early January 2011.[56]

Aftermath

In July 2011 al-Maliki agreed to cut 12 ministries from his cabinet, which was a compromise from his original proposal to cut 16 ministerial portfolios. The agreement comes amid debate over whether or not a US military contingent would remain beyond a 31 December 2011 deadline for their withdrawal.[57]

References

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  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Al-Iraqiya rejected 9 out of 19 Kurdish demands, says lawmaker
  17. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  18. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Iraqi Shia bloc rejects Saudi offer - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  23. ↑ Al-ManarTV:: Several Iraqi Blocs Reject Saudi Offer to Host Talks in Riyadh 31/10/2010
  24. ↑ US urges inclusive Iraq government - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  25. ↑ The Muslim News
  26. ↑ Sadr Front to accept Al-Maliki win | Iraq News | Alsumaria Iraqi Satellite TV Network
  27. ↑ Three Competing Paths to the Next Iraqi Government « Iraq and Gulf Analysis
  28. ↑ Iraq: New Alliance Takes Shape Against Maliki-Sadr Bloc | The Nation
  29. ↑ Iraqiyya and the “Surprise” Endorsement of Abd al-Mahdi: Some Legal Problems « Iraq and Gulf Analysis
  30. ↑ King Abdullah's Initiative is Sincere- Iraqi Interior Minister Asharq Alawsat Newspaper (English)
  31. ↑ Iraq's Kurdish Bloc Looks For Coalition Offer - Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty © 2010
  32. ↑ Al-ManarTV:: Iraq Court Orders Parliament To Convene, Choose Speaker 24/10/2010
  33. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  34. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  35. ↑ Al-ManarTV:: Iraq Parliament to Elect Speaker on Monday 03/11/2010
  36. ↑ Al-ManarTV:: Finally, Iraqi Rivals Clinch Deal: Maliki to Remain PM, Allawi to Choose Speaker 07/11/2010
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Iraq pact heralds new political era - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  38. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  39. ↑ Leaders | United States Forces - Iraq
  40. ↑ Maliki, Talibani in after Iraqiya walk-outs - Iraq Oil Report
  41. ↑ Power-sharing deal reached in Iraq - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  42. ↑ Iraqi parliament holds new session - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  43. ↑ Al-Iraqiya brengt oppositie en Talabani dichterbij elkaar | Azady.nl
  44. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  45. ↑ Iraq gets a new government - Middle East - Al Jazeera English
  46. ↑ 46.00 46.01 46.02 46.03 46.04 46.05 46.06 46.07 46.08 46.09 46.10 46.11 46.12 46.13 46.14 Parliament Approves the Second Maliki Government, Reidar Visser, 2010-12-21
  47. ↑ 47.00 47.01 47.02 47.03 47.04 47.05 47.06 47.07 47.08 47.09 47.10 47.11 47.12 47.13 47.14 47.15 47.16 47.17 47.18 47.19 47.20 47.21 47.22 Ministers in the New Iraq Government, Assyrian International News Agency, 2010-12-23
  48. ↑ http://articles.cnn.com/2011-08-17/world/iraq.violence_1_adhamiya-sunni-shiite-sunni-enclave?_s=PM:WORLD
  49. ↑ 49.0 49.1 49.2 49.3 49.4 49.5 49.6 49.7 Al Sunaid names Iraq Cabinet nominees, Al Sumaria, 2010-12-21
  50. ↑ Full List of Iraq’s New Cabinet
  51. ↑ URGENT: Iraqi Defense, Electricity, Cabinet posts settled by al-Iraqiya Coaliltion
  52. ↑ 52.0 52.1 Maliki fills power, trade, other Iraq cabinet jobs, Reuters, 13 February 2011, accessed on 1 January 2012
  53. ↑ Iraq PM moves to fire minister over power deals, AFP, 8 August 2011
  54. ↑ Iraq names new electricity minister, AFP, 14 December 2011
  55. ↑ Iraq: Political Parties (Re)Align For December Elections
  56. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  57. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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