Iraqi President Barham Salih announced assigning the head of the Intelligence Agency, Mustafa al-Kazemi, to head the government shortly after Prime Minister-designate Adnan al-Zarfi apologized for not forming it.
Al-Kazemi pledged, upon his assignment, to work on forming a government that puts the aspirations and demands of the Iraqis at the top of its priorities, safeguards the sovereignty of the country, preserves rights, works to solve crises, and pushes the economy forward.
Al-Jazeera correspondent in Baghdad, Samer Yusef, said that Al-Kazimi's assignment is the third after Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi and Adnan Al-Zarfi in the five months since Adel Abdul-Mahdi resigned under pressure from the protests, indicating that Al-Kazemi’s fortunes appear strong this time after attending the mandating ceremonies by most of the Shi’ite political blocs and from Among them are "Saeroon" led by Muqtada al-Sadr, Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi, and the "Arab Project" faction headed by Khamis al-Khanjar, head of the Supreme Judicial Council and head of the Federal Court.
The reporter added that Al-Kazemi has thirty days to form a government that will be temporary and its main task is to prepare for early elections.
Al-Zorfi said in a press conference held today in Baghdad that his apology for not undertaking the commission was due to preserving the unity and interests of Iraq, stressing that he had been keen to move forward in carrying out the task entrusted to him with great honor and high responsibility, bearing in front of him a sacred primary goal is to save Iraq and its return to the right path, is a stable and influential country in its Arab, Islamic and international surroundings.
He pointed out that he had established in the past weeks a real beginning for an Iraqi policy based on productive and fruitful economic partnerships with countries of the world, organizing the work of the international coalition forces, scheduling their withdrawal and building the capabilities of the armed forces.
Al-Kazemi support
Al-Zarfi’s withdrawal of his candidacy comes a day after the Iraqi Forces Alliance - which includes many Sunni representatives - and the Kurdistan Region’s presidency declared their support for what he described as the Shi’ite political blocs ’approval of Al-Kazemi’s candidacy as prime minister.
The Alliance of Forces - led by Al-Halbousi - said in a statement that he places in his interests that the candidate for prime minister be accepted and supported by the political component responsible for the nomination, and that he enjoy acceptance at the national level.
The Alliance of Forces occupies forty seats out of a total of 329 members of the House of Representatives, and initially supported Zarrafi's candidacy.
For its part, the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq welcomed Al-Kazimi's candidacy for the position of Prime Minister, and called in a statement of all political forces to overcome differences and support Al-Kazemi to form the government as soon as possible.
Al-Kazemi, an independent who is not affiliated with any political party, assumed the position of head of the National Intelligence Service in June 2016, during the tenure of Haider al-Abadi as prime minister, and he still holds the position.
For the government to obtain the confidence of Parliament, an absolute majority (50% + 1) is required for the number of members present (not the total number).
The popular movement forced the government of Adel Abdul Mahdi to submit its resignation in early December 2019.