Page 9 - MEOG Week 44 2022

MEOG POLICY & SECURITY MEOG

Sudani’s anti-corruption campaign of “build- opposition on the part of the pro-Sudani polit-
ing effective tools to fight corruption within a ical team. So if Sudani opts for radical solutions
maximum period of 90 days from the date of similar to the white paper proposals, he could
formation of the government,” as he promised, lose the support of Parliament. And if he turns
is actually a double-edged sword. This is every- towards temporary solutions similar to the solu-
one’s demand both inside and outside Iraq, and tions of the governments that preceded al-Ka-
it forces Sudani to engage in very harsh confron- dhimi – chief among them job appointments
tations, some of which might be against his own and scales – then he will further complicate the
supporters. economic problems facing Iraq and may lose the
This raises the question as to whether Sudani support of international financial organisations
will be ready to engage in a confrontation at a such as the World Bank. The public sector is
time when he has to be very cautious toward already grappling with inflation and stagnation,
Sadr and his current supporters. and it needs restructuring through co-operation
Of note, al-Kadhimi’s government also and exchange with the private sector.
focused on the fight against corruption, as it In terms of services, securing the necessary
formed a special committee in this regard. While amount of electricity for the 2023 summer
the committee managed to make some progress, season is the biggest challenge Sudani has to
it faced great pressure, which led to its subse- meet. Electricity production largely depends on
quent dissolution by the judiciary. imports of Iranian gas, and the plans and projects
Sudani’s proposals in terms of creating job launched by the previous government – includ-
opportunities for the youth may collide with the ing setting up electricity connections with Saudi
complex economic reality and the need, ulti- Arabia, the Gulf, Jordan and Egypt – and solar
mately, for radical reforms in Iraq. energy projects and gas extraction faced strong
The Iraqi economy is highly dependent on opposition from the pro-Sudani political team,
the state and its financial resources amid very which deemed this to be an influence of Western
little private sector contribution. Al-Kadhimi’s and Arab countries that do not get along with the
government had previously adopted an eco- pro-Iran axis in the region.
nomic reform programme dubbed the “white At the level of foreign relations, Sudani is
paper.” It relied on privatisation, foreign invest- likely to have a less tense relationship with Iran.
ments, as well as greater state revenues through An open question is whether he can expand on
taxes and administrative reforms. al-Kadhimi’s progress in deepening ties with
However, the programme faced widespread Egypt, Jordan and the GCC.™

Week 44 02•November•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P9