Hours after multiple missiles hit Baghdad's Green Zone, the Iraqi Parliament on Thursday, October 14th, chose Kurdish politician Abdul Latif Rashid to lead the nation, ending political turmoil. According to a representative of the assembly, 78-year-old Iraqi Kurd Abdul Latif Rashid defeated incumbent Barham Saleh by a margin of more than 160 votes to 99 for Saleh. Latif counselled the head of state after serving as the country's minister of water resources from 2003 to 2010.
Shortly after taking office, the new President appointed Shiite politician Mohammed Shia al-Sudani as Prime Minister-designate, giving him the tough challenge of bringing together rival Shiite factions and creating a cabinet a full year after Iraq's previous general election. The 52-year-old Sudanese, who has the support of significant pro-Iran elements, has vowed to create a government "as swiftly as possible," but will have to fight strong opposition. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi is replaced by the newly elected Al-Sudani.
In a power-sharing structure designed to prevent religious divisions, the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Parliament of Iraq are all members of different sects. The Prime Minister of Iraq is Shia, the Speaker of the Parliament is Sunni, and the President of Iraq is Kurdish.
Prior to a highly anticipated session where politicians pushed through with the formation of the next government despite the political turmoil, at least nine rockets were fired at the Iraqi Parliament inside the heavily defended Green Zone. There were at least five injuries. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi condemned the attack during the session on Twitter, writing that "we firmly oppose any attempt to hinder the democratic process." In order to put an end to the political situation, he declared, "We support the fulfilment of the constitutional deadlines."
Last month on September 28, three rockets were fired at the Green Zone as Parliamentarians were about to elect the speaker of Parliament.
© Vygr Media Private Limited 2022. All Rights Reserved.
