Paper
Renad Mansour, Faleh A. Jabar
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Source: Getty
In The Media
Protestors Storm Iraq's Parliament: Could the Prime Minister be Overthrown?
Iraqi Prime Minister Al-Abadi’s leadership is in question after major protests in Baghdad, most recently with crowds storming the Green Zone and occupying parliament.
Published on May 1, 2016
Source: CNN
Carnegie’s Renad Mansour spoke with Lynda Kinkade on CNN, alongside Ben Wedeman, CNN senior international correspondent , to discuss the major protests in Baghdad, including the storming of the Green Zone and Iraqi Parliament and their implications for the Iraqi government.
Mansour pointed out that the protests had set a precedent that immediate structural change is required, and Abadi needs to move away from simple reforms and rhetoric. The protests, led by Muqtada Al-Sadr, were a direct reaction to the decision to delay that cabinet reshuffle and is the first time that crowds have infiltrated the Green Zone and parliament.
Mansour argued that Abadi faces both internal and external challenges to his leadership, including former prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki who is looking for a vacuum and for parliament to dissolve. This is exacerbated by Muqtada Al-Sadr’s strong popular movement that led the recent protests. In addition, the group of elites who have benefited from the post-2003 structure of patronage are concerned that the protests and government shortcomings are a threat to the privileges they enjoy.
Manour added that despite fears that a failing Abadi government would negatively affect the fight against ISIS there was an opportunity for the political class to win back Iraqis who have lost faith in the government and open up a crucial political wing to restore it.
About the Author
Renad Mansour
Former El-Erian Fellow, Middle East Center
Mansour was an El-Erian fellow at the Carnegie Middle East Center, where his research focuses on Iraq, Iran, and Kurdish affairs.
- The Popular Mobilization Forces and Iraq’s Future
- Game of Thrones in BaghdadCommentary
Renad Mansour
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
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