Iraqi President Barham Salih was keen during the official ceremony marking the appointment of Mustafa Kadhimi as prime minister-designate to film all political blocs that attended the event in a move that could be later used against them should they withdraw support for the new premier.
Observers said Salih made sure that the ceremony was televised and that political blocs were clearly filmed so that they could not later accuse him of unilaterally appointed Kadhimi to his post, accusations he was met with when he previously named Mohammed Allawi as PM-designate.
Kadhimi is the third designated PM to try to form a new government since Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned late last year in wake of massive popular protests.
An informed political source, meanwhile, told Asharq Al-Awsat that political blocs were seeking to form a joint committee, comprised of influential parties and forces, aimed at dividing ministerial portfolios among them.
After they reach a consensual agreement, they will present their proposals to Kadhimi, he added.
He explained that on the surface, blocs appeared to back his appointment, but ultimately, “they cannot allow him to singlehandedly form the government because that would threaten and undermine their influence and power.”
Even the blocs that had initially rejected his nomination have openly expressed their support, said the source, but underneath it all, each party is seeking to achieve its interests, even if they may go against Kadhimi and his best intentions in saving Iraq from its various crises.
Chairman of Iraq Advisory Council Farhad Alaaldin told Asharq Al-Awsat that Kadhimi will face a difficult task in forming the new government because each bloc will demand that it retain its shares in cabinet.
He will face an arduous mission in appeasing the blocs, but in the end, he must go ahead and form a government that serves the political process and the current situation in Iraq, given that the cabinet will play a transitional role until elections are held.
