Sunday, September 24, 2006
Federalism debate to be put off for 18 months
Politics
Iraqi leaders have struck a compromise between Shia and Sunni politicians disagreeing on the draft legislation for a federalism law put forward by SCIRI three weeks ago. Political party leaders agreed to hold a debate on federalism as urged by Shiites and also to review the constitution as demanded by Sunnis.
"The first reading of the draft law for the formation of regions will be on (Tuesday)," said deputy parliamentary speaker Khaled Attiya Sunday, adding this would be preceded Monday by the formation of a committee to review the constitution.
"The first reading of the draft law for the formation of regions will be on (Tuesday)," said deputy parliamentary speaker Khaled Attiya Sunday, adding this would be preceded Monday by the formation of a committee to review the constitution.
Sunnis originally rejected a Shiite draft law on dividing the country into regions, sometimes even threatening to boycott the assembly. At the same time, they demanded that before anything, a committee had to be formed to study their long-held desire to amend the constitution.
The deal to allow both measures to move forward was reached in a closed door meeting involving the Shiite list, the Kurdish Alliance, the Iraqiya list as well as the Sunni parties. The compromise ensures the constitutional committee will have a year to amend the constitution, while the federalism law will not be implemented for 18 months after it has been passed.
The deal to allow both measures to move forward was reached in a closed door meeting involving the Shiite list, the Kurdish Alliance, the Iraqiya list as well as the Sunni parties. The compromise ensures the constitutional committee will have a year to amend the constitution, while the federalism law will not be implemented for 18 months after it has been passed.
COMMENT: This appears positive. All parties have been involved and the Sunnis will be satisfied that the constitution will be reviewed which they have wanted since before the elections - amendment of the constitution was on of the conditions they gave for agreeing to come to the political table. The Shias who are pushing for federalism will still be involved on debates on the subject without actually implementing it which pleases the other Shia groups such as the Al Fadheela party and the Sadrists. Putting the federalism issue on hold will hopefully stop some of the political infighting and shift the focus towards uniting the country, stabilising it and dealing with some of the security issues. COMMENT ENDS.
