Iraqi prime minister presses ahead with promise of early elections
Iraq’s Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi has committed to early elections, but Iraq's political blocs may resist.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced on July 30 that early elections will be held on June 6, 2021. Early elections are a priority for the Kadhimi government, which was formed in the wake of anti-government protests that erupted in Iraq on Oct. 1. The protests killed more than 500 people, according to government estimates.
President Barham Salih praised on Aug. 4, setting time for the early elections, calling upon the parliament to accelerate the process of finalizing the electoral law and the federal court law which is the responsible body for overseeing the elections.
"If the prime minister requests resolving the parliament, I would approve it and send it to the parliament to vote over it," Salih said.
The prime minister's spokesperson, Ahmad Mulla Talal, said on Aug. 2 that a special committee is preparing all requirements for the elections, which will be held on time and in accordance with international standards.
