Iraqi Prime Minister-designate Mohammed Tawfiq Allawi failed to receive parliamentary approval for his Cabinet March 1, leaving Iraq in a dangerous power vacuum. Iraqi President Barham Salih appointed Allawi as prime minister a month ago, based on the recommendations of the Sairoon and Fatah blocs.
Per the constitution, Allawi had 30 days to form a Cabinet. Parliament had scheduled a session to discuss Allawi's Cabinet March 1, but it failed to meet a quorum. Most members of parliament did not attend the session because they disapproved of how Allawi was not engaging in discussions with political parties on the formation of his Cabinet. Another parliamentary session Feb. 27 also failed to reach quorum.