Iraq’s PM-Designate Vows Free, Fair Elections within a Year

By Staff, Agencies

Iraq’s Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zurfi said his top priority is to set the stage for the holding of free and untainted parliamentary elections within a year from forming the next government.

Zurfi, who has been designated by Iraqi President Barham Salih, said in a statement released on state media following his meeting with Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbusi that he would make sure free and transparent elections would take place within that time span.

His pledge represents a key demand for Iraqi protesters who have been staging street protests in several cities over corruption, unemployment, and shortage of basic services, calling for early polls.

Zurfi also promised protection for public protesters and activists, and said those targeting protesters would face prosecution.

Under his premiership, Baghdad will be pursuing an “Iraq First” foreign policy, which also highlights openness towards neighboring states.

The foreign policy agenda will also require Baghdad to stay away from regional and international conflicts that could turn Iraq into an arena for score settling.

In early January, the US launched a drone strike against the Iraqi capital, assassinating Iran’s top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, Abu-Mahdi al-Muhandis, a fellow Iraqi commander, and their comrades. General Soleimani was on an official visit to Baghdad when the assassination took place.

The Iraqi parliament voted overwhelmingly in favor of a bill afterwards, outlawing all sorts of US-led foreign presence on the Arab country’s soil.