Baghdad – Al-Nabaa Forum for Dialogue convened a virtual panel discussion via WhatsApp titled "Criteria and Mechanisms for Forming the Government Team Under Al-Sudani’s Administration, or the So-Called 'Government of Achievement." The session featured a presentation by Dr. Majeed Al-Hadrawi, Director of the Kufa Studies Center, and was moderated by Dr. Alaa Al-Silawi, with participation from several MPs, researchers, and political analysts.
Community activist Dr. Hameed Muslim Al-Turufi noted that Prime Minister Al-Sudani was strategic in labeling his administration the "Government of Achievement," as tangible performance constitutes a core pillar of political legitimacy alongside constitutional and revolutionary legitimacy. He added that as long as Muqtada al-Sadr maintains his stance of popular opposition, political blocs have become more flexible in their dealings with the Prime Minister-designate over naming their electoral nominees, putting forward more candidates to give him a wider range of options, particularly blocs in the central and southern regions that fear pressure from the streets.
Al-Turufi emphasized a genuine desire across political blocs for Al-Sudani’s government to succeed. While Al-Sudani may not be able to reopen every past corruption file, Al-Turufi argued he can significantly curb corruption by selecting unblemished figures, exercising strict oversight over directors-general and their deputies, and using his powers to dismiss, remove, or reprimand officials. He also stressed the importance of appointing a professional media team to objectively highlight achievements and address shortcomings without resorting to political smear tactics or favoritism.
Musheer Rasheed, Head of the Legal Department at the Kurdistan Region Integrity Commission, pointed out that in a multi-component federal state like Iraq, "achievement" carries different meanings across regions: southern provinces prioritize basic public services, central regions focus on security and displacement, while the Kurdistan Region requires fundamental solutions to lingering federal disputes, particularly over the budget and disputed territories.
Member of Parliament Hareem Kamal highlighted that the incoming administration faces unprecedented, critical challenges inherited from previous governments. He warned that delaying these issues will only compound their complexity, asserting that the government's primary mandate must be to restore state sovereignty and authority at the security and administrative levels.
Kamal stressed that the main security threat stems from parallel armed forces operating outside the law to exert control, disregarding legal institutions. He also cited recurring foreign violations of Iraqi sovereignty along the Kurdistan Region’s border areas, calling for decisive political action from the incoming government.
Iraq’s Ambassador to the Vatican, Rahman Al-Amiri, observed that a ministerial post is inherently political and does not necessarily require rising through the ranks of a specific ministry. Instead, the essential qualifications for a minister are strong managerial competence, courage, integrity, and dedication.
Conversely, Deputy Governor of Karbala Jassim Al-Fatlawi expressed skepticism regarding the government's prospects, noting that it was formed by the same political blocs that governed past administrations. He argued that these blocs are unlikely to relinquish their interests or tackle systemic corruption and uncontrolled arms outside state authority.
Al-Fatlawi added that appointment to special-grade posts remains governed by political quotas and party economic interests rather than merit and competence, making this heavy legacy difficult to dismantle.
On a more optimistic note, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Ghazi Kakaei argued that the incoming government is positioned to perform relatively better than its predecessors, having emerged after early elections and a year-long political deadlock that made all parties invested in its survival. He urged the Prime Minister to prioritize expertise, integrity, and competence while avoiding the recycling of past officials.
The session concluded by reaffirming the Al-Nabaa Forum’s ongoing role as a platform driving constructive dialogue to generate actionable policy ideas and advise government institutions and civil society organizations.