The Iraqi vice-president and leader of the electoral “Decision” coalition, Osama al-Nujaifi, set conditions to support a second term for current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Nujaifi said: “Abadi succeeded in some files, and we acknowledge that the regional and international conditions helped him a lot, especially in the war against ISIS.”
But he continued: “However, his success, in general, was partial. He hasn't achieved much progress in the political arena, and a major flaw is present at the economic level. Abadi is still handcuffed by partisan restrictions; he has not been able to abandon the mantle [Daawa Party]; while he had a great opportunity to get into the national space under a new slogan.”
Asked whether he supported Abadi for a second term, Nujaifi replied: “We support him for a second term but under conditions. We want a clear program of action and a genuine political partnership, but he remains a potential partner.”
The Iraqi vice president emphasized his rejection of the principle of political majority, saying: “The political majority can be a natural principle in a country where democratic standards are correct.”
He pointed out that the political majority advocated by some political parties would, in fact, mean a Shiite majority with the Sunni and Kurdish communities left aside.
“This means a new dictatorship under the slogan of the majority,” he warned.
Nujaifi underlined the need to consolidate partnership among the Iraqis to achieve progress.
“What is needed now is a strong partnership... Looking back at the experience of the previous government (referring to the government of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki) it was a grim experience, while it differed very much with that of the current government; there is a relative improvement in some files, and there is hope that the image will be further strengthened,” he stated.
Nujaifi expressed hope that his political coalition would achieve good results in the elections.
“We have provided new youth energies, and we believe that, as a coalition, we can realize a good outcome, despite challenges in the political and electoral arena,” he said.
“All that we want is to return to the Constitution, to strengthen State institutions by getting rid of partisanship,” he added.
On the development of the Saudi-Iraqi relations over the past year, Nujaifi stressed that the Kingdom has dealt with openness with the different Iraqi components.
“We hope that this [relation] will continue and will further develop to cover all areas,” he said, adding: “Perhaps the important aspect is that the Kingdom has opened up to all components of the Iraqi people.”
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