Nouri Maliki was last night appointed Iraqi prime minister after the country broke the
world record for the slowest process of government formation. Eight months passed between the election and the formation, beating even previous Belgian records of procrastination.
Hours after his appointment, however, members of al-Iraqiya, the main Sunni-backed alliance led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, walked out of the Parliament. Their concern: Maliki’s failure to do as he had promised and reinstate four Sunni leaders who had been banned for alleged ties to Saddam Hussein’s Baath party.
Despite the walk-out, Jalal Talabani was elected president and handed the task of forming a government to the largest coalition, the National Alliance – a merger of Mr Maliki’s State of Law coalition and the Iraqi National Alliance of the radical Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr.
The US was quick to announce yesterday’s developments as a success – but the victory is decidedly Phyrric.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in