Is Iran trying to hijack Iraqi protesters’ demands?
Political parties in Baghdad that are close to Iran may be trying to use Iraqis' ongoing protests as an excuse to change the parliamentary system to a presidential one — something the protesters have never asked for.
BAGHDAD — In reaction to continuing mass protests that began Oct. 1, the Supreme Judicial Council is reviewing the Iraqi Constitution and will submit proposed amendments to parliament — though protesters fear that will only delay action on their demands.
Parliament has formed an Amendment Committee that is to complete its recommendations within four months, aiming to answer protesters’ demands for reforms to end corruption and the electoral quota system, which is based on religious and ethnic affiliations.
However, suggesting that the primary aim of the popular protests is for the government to amend the constitution is ironic, as they are calling for the current government to resign before elections are organized under a new law with UN supervision. Protesters accuse the current government of being corrupt and illegitimate, citing low election turnout, ballot boxes being set on fire and results being forged.
“The protesters in Baghdad have rejected the parliament’s Amendment Committee because [committee] members are from parties and sectarian blocs that contributed to ruining the country. We have taken to the streets to remove them from power and it's unreasonable to accept them as legislators for the next stage,” Naim al-Shuwaili, a civil activist in Baghdad, told Al-Monitor.
