Iraq’s new parliament will convene next week to start procedures for setting up a new Government — despite deepening political rifts and an ongoing Islamist-led insurgency — announced President Jalal Talibini on Thursday.
“The presidency has issued a republican decree inviting the new House of Representatives to meet on Tuesday, July 1, to form a new Government,” independent news site Alsumaria News reported, citing a Presidential statement.
Political divisions and horse-trading are unlikely to put a new Government in place any time soon.
On Wednesday, Shi'ite Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki rejected calls for a “national salvation” Government, saying such calls amounted to “a coup against the constitution.” Al-Maliki, who has been in power since 2006, is eying a third term.
His State of Law Coalition topped the April polls with 92 of 328 seats. However, a workable coalition that would allow him to claim a majority has eluded him.
Al-Maliki’s critics accuse him of monopolising power and marginalising the country’s Sunni minority.
Earlier this month, the jihadist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), believed to be backed by local Sunni militias, seized the northern city of Mosul and captured a string of towns stretching south towards the capital Baghdad.
The insurgents have also made considerable territorial gains in western Iraq near the border with Syria and Jordan.
Iraq has seen increasing violence over the past year, much of it blamed on ISIL and aimed at security forces and Shiite civilians.
The Shiite—led government’s response with security sweeps and mass arrests has further alienated Iraq’s Sunni minority, from which ISIL and other rebel groups draw their support.