After Prime Minster Abadi presented a new technocrat cabinet on the 31st of March, the Iraqi Parliament is blocking the presentation of a new cabinet lineup as they claim it to be either invalid or treachery to the state. Abadi has been desperately trying to steer his country out of political turmoil as protestors increasingly gather outside the government offices under the lead of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Abadi is pushing to replace party-affiliated ministers with technocrats at the request of demonstrators in the strive to improve the critical situation of the country by temporarily putting professionals, experts and academics in power. Analysts claim the current political crisis to be the outcome of a failing sectarian quota system, half-solutions to Iraq’s chronic problems and failure to address critical issues such as corruption, a worsening economic situation and increased conflict within the country. While Prime Minister Abadi is backed by the international community, he has few allies inside Iraq’s political sphere and people are increasingly opting for dissolving the Parliament and holding fresh elections.

Prime Minister Abadi has warned that the political crisis will affect the fight against the Islamic State as demonstrations cause military forces to leave the front lines to protect Iraq’s capital. While the protestors are trying to storm the governmental offices under the lead of al-Sadr, the cleric has arguably lost his favor in securing a potential political position as all political blocs in Parliament are allying against him.

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For a deeper analysis on Iraqi sectarian politics, click here.
For more information on cleric al-Sadr leading the anti-government protests, click here.