CIAO DATE: 07/2010
June 2010
United States Institute of Peace
The institution of Iraq’s prime minister has evolved since the previous national government was formed in 2006. The success of incumbent Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki in building an independent power base around the o!ce and the diminishing U.S. presence in Iraq have transformed the perception and stature of Iraq’s chief executive. This evolution of the position helps to explain why negotiations over the government’s formation have struggled to move beyond the top post to discuss other assignments and the new government’s agenda. The talks are not just about agreeing on a prime minister in the context of inconclusive, close election results, and competing regional in"uences; these talks are trying to de#ne the role of the premiership and possible checks on its power. Understanding the debate on possible checks and balances is important because of its potential rami#cations for Iraq’s democratic experiment, and also because agreement on this issue might pave the way for the nomination of a prime minister.
Resource link: The Premiership [PDF] - 142K