IS IRAQ REALLY READY FOR EARLY ELECTIONS? In the end of July, Prime Minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi announced early elections will be held in Iraq on June 6, 2021. At the time, the United Nations Mission in Iraq welcomed Al Kadhimi’s move. Early polls are an important popular demand for greater stability and democracy. But is Iraq ready? The President, Barham Salih, doesn’t seem so sure. And he has a point. Salih implied that without security and stability, and without tangible reforms, any electoral exercise will not bring the desired results. Iraq’s long-suffering people deserve a political class and system that, finally, puts their interest and well-being first. [COMMENT BY: Omar Shariff, International Editor]
AFP