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Iraq reforms: Parliament backs PM Haider al-Abadi's plan | Iraq reforms: Parliament backs PM Haider al-Abadi's plan |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The Iraqi parliament has unanimously approved reforms aimed at stamping out corruption, reducing government waste and easing sectarian tensions. | The Iraqi parliament has unanimously approved reforms aimed at stamping out corruption, reducing government waste and easing sectarian tensions. |
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's programme was pushed through without debate, according to parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi. | Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's programme was pushed through without debate, according to parliamentary speaker Salim al-Juburi. |
Under the plan, Mr Abadi will cut spending and eliminate senior posts. | Under the plan, Mr Abadi will cut spending and eliminate senior posts. |
It follows recent anti-government protests over an unreliable electricity supply amid a major heatwave. | It follows recent anti-government protests over an unreliable electricity supply amid a major heatwave. |
Thousands of people have turned out in Baghdad and other cities to vent their anger at the authorities and pressurise them to make changes. | Thousands of people have turned out in Baghdad and other cities to vent their anger at the authorities and pressurise them to make changes. |
Unbearable conditions | Unbearable conditions |
Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption. | Iraq's system of sharing government jobs has long been criticised for promoting unqualified candidates and encouraging corruption. |
The country has three vice-presidents - two from the Shia Arab majority and one from the Sunni Arab minority - and three deputy prime ministers - a Shia, a Sunni and a Sunni Kurd. | |
As a result of the reforms, senior political appointments will no longer be based on sectarian or party quotas, and the posts of vice-president and deputy prime minister will be abolished. | |
Mr Abadi's seven-point plan also includes a requirement for a number of government positions to be filled with political independents - a move aimed at cracking down on corruption. | Mr Abadi's seven-point plan also includes a requirement for a number of government positions to be filled with political independents - a move aimed at cracking down on corruption. |
Officials' benefits will also be reduced. | Officials' benefits will also be reduced. |
The changes come after weeks of protests by voters angry at the way the country is governed and at the lack of investment in infrastructure. | The changes come after weeks of protests by voters angry at the way the country is governed and at the lack of investment in infrastructure. |
In some areas of Iraq it is common to have only a few hours of electricity each day. | In some areas of Iraq it is common to have only a few hours of electricity each day. |
Tensions have become particularly fraught during a heatwave that has seen temperatures rise to 51C (123F). | Tensions have become particularly fraught during a heatwave that has seen temperatures rise to 51C (123F). |
Frequent power cuts have made the sweltering conditions even more unbearable. | Frequent power cuts have made the sweltering conditions even more unbearable. |
Many Iraqis have cautiously welcomed the passing of the reform package, seen as a victory for Mr Abadi. | Many Iraqis have cautiously welcomed the passing of the reform package, seen as a victory for Mr Abadi. |
But he still faces pressure to ensure the measures are properly implemented. | But he still faces pressure to ensure the measures are properly implemented. |
Mr Juburi said a complementary plan containing even more reforms was needed, and called on Mr Abadi to sack ministers who were guilty of negligence and corruption. | Mr Juburi said a complementary plan containing even more reforms was needed, and called on Mr Abadi to sack ministers who were guilty of negligence and corruption. |