The Iraqi government launches massive plans to crack down on political corruption, enforce reforms,
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[quote]Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi on Sunday issued a decree proposing the cancellation of the country's vice president positions and deputy PM role.
A statement on the PM's Facebook page said that Abbadi will also investigate corruption, reappoint all senior officials based on professional rather than sectarian standards, and reduce the number of security personnel protecting senior officials in order to cut down on waste.
[B]Abbadi held a meeting on Friday evening with a number of experts and advisers to discuss the administrative and financial reforms in his new bid to tackle corruption in the country.
The decision to terminate the roles was approved by Abbadi's cabinet on Sunday, but still requires parliamentary approval.
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Bahaa al-Araji resigned shortly after Abbadi's proposal on Sunday, Iraq's state news reported.
Anti-government demonstrations persisted in several cities such as Basra, Baghdad, Nasriyah and Najaf in the past two weeks over poor living conditions, including electricity cuts and water quality.[/B]
Al Jazeera's Mohammed Jamjoom, reporting from Baghdad, said Abbadi's decision sent shockwaves throughout the Iraqi government establishment.
"It is not a surprise considering how much pressure the PM has been under from these mounting protests that have been growing in various cities throughout the country.
"Many activists have been calling on the government to end rampant corruption here in Iraq.
"All of the people we spoke to here say they want to see an end to rampant corruption, they want the return of basic services, they want electricity, they want to have air conditioning at a time when Iraq is experiencing a blazingly hot record heatwave and they want to have clean water," Jamjoom added.[/quote]
[url]http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/iraq-pm-cancels-vice-president-deputy-pm-positions-150809061009824.html[/url]
[quote][B]Iraq's parliament has voted unanimously to approve Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi's reform package, after mass protests against corruption and poor services.[/B]
Politicians approved the plan without debate on Tuesday, in a dramatic departure from the heated arguments and delays that have slowed previous efforts to enact reforms or approve important laws.
[B]Iraq's most revered Shia religious leader, Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, had backed the plan, which was announced on Sunday amid mounting public pressure. [/B]
Abbadi had proposed measures to reduce corruption and save money in the face of mounting unrest.
They include eliminating a layer of senior government positions, ending sectarian and party quotas for state positions, reducing officials' benefits and reopening corruption investigations.
Emboldened by widespread anti-government protests and a call by Sistani for tougher action, Abbadi announced measures over the weekend aimed at reforming a system critics say hands high office to unqualified candidates and encourages corruption.[/quote]
[url]http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/iraqi-parliament-votes-overwhelmingly-reforms-150811103742786.html[/url]
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