Iraq's top cleric Sistani makes urgent call for new government

Iraq’s top Shi’ite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called on Friday for a government to be formed as soon as possible to tackle corruption and poor basic services.

In a sermon delivered by a representative, Sistani told the incumbent caretaker administration of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to respond to protesters’ fears.

“The current government must work hard, urgently, to implement citizens’ demands to reduce their suffering and misery,” Sistani’s representative said in the Shi’ite holy city of Kerbala.

Anger is mounting at a time when politicians are struggling to form a government after the May 12 election, which was marred by allegations of fraud, prompting a recount.

Abadi, who is seeking a second term in office, is heading a fragile caretaker government, in place until a new administration is formed.

A political bloc led by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr won a majority in the poll on an anti-corruption platform which had appeal across Iraq’s electorate.

Sistani, a reclusive octogenarian, is revered by millions of Shi’ite Muslims in Iraq and elsewhere.

Thousands of people have protested this month in cities in the long-neglected south, Iraq’s Shi’ite heartland, against the lack of proper government services.

Demonstrations over the same issues have occurred in the past but the unrest this time is more widespread.

Sistani’s representative said the next prime minister “must launch a relentless war against the corrupted and those who protect them”.

Abadi said he supported Sistani’s remarks and guidance, according to a statement from his office.

Sistani, who rarely intervenes in politics but has wide influence over public opinion, proposed a roadmap with guidelines which the next government should follow to ease economic hardship and fight corruption.

He said the new government should not include officials accused of corruption and the misuse of power, or officials who promote sectarian separation.

Sistani warned that if the next government and parliament failed to perform its duty, people would have the right to launch protests.

Baghdad-based political analyst Ahmed Younis said Sistani had sent a clear message that Abadi’s government had failed to put an end to corruption or provide basic services.

“Sistani made it clear Abadi’s government has failed to do the job and the new government must fix the unresolved issues. And this is a real tough obstacle that could face Abadi if he seeks a second term,” he said.