Iraq’s political class must address 'crisis of trust,' says PM
In an exclusive interview, Mustafa al-Kadhimi also discusses Iraq’s shift to regional hub for diplomacy and economic progress despite strong political headwinds.
NEW YORK — Iraq needs to distance itself from a "past that is full of violence" toward a future based on dialogue, said Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor.
Kadhimi, who made his first address to the UN General Assembly this week, is seeking to broker an agreement among Iraq’s political parties that is focused on inclusion and engagement, rather than exclusion and violence.
Kadhimi has been convening a national dialogue among Iraq’s political leaders and parties, which may be the best hope for Iraq, or at least a critical first step, to avoid further political deadlock, if not outright violence, and put Iraq on a path to elections.
Iraqi leaders have been unable to form a government since parliamentary elections in October 2021. The party of Iraqi populist cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won the most seats, but his rivals' success in bringing together one-third of lawmakers in an opposing block has prevented him from forming a government.
