Baghdad: The head of the Taqaddum Party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, emphasized the necessity for a national document that runs parallel to the Iraqi constitution, underscoring that Iraq should not bear the consequences of others’ mistakes. Speaking at the seventh session of the Baghdad International Dialogue Conference, Al-Halbousi highlighted the importance of a stable political framework in Iraq.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Halbousi insisted that the political process in Iraq requires a binding agreement that extends beyond the formation of a government. He stressed that elections are conducted constitutionally every four years, with the electoral law and administration managed by the commission, which aids voters in understanding the electoral system. The Taqaddum Party plans to maintain its current list for the upcoming local and legislative elections, urging citizens to update their electoral cards and responsibly choose their political representatives.
Al-Halbousi pointed out that increasing voter participation could significantly alter the political landscape. He acknowledged the challenges Iraq has faced post-2017, following the battles against terrorism and ISIS, and noted the ongoing issues in reaching a consensus with political forces. He called for a comprehensive political agreement document, possibly under international sponsorship, that includes a timetable for diagnosing and resolving national challenges.
Discussing security, Al-Halbousi affirmed that no political party should have an armed faction, highlighting the role of security institutions, including the Popular Mobilization Forces, in maintaining peace. He noted the misuse of security formations like the Peshmerga and Asayish for partisan purposes, which he deemed inappropriate.
Al-Halbousi also touched on Iraq’s international relations, emphasizing the necessity for broader support from neighboring countries, independent of any specific agenda. He described Iraq’s relationship with the United States as strategic and expressed opposition to Iranian and Turkish interference in Iraq’s affairs. He advocated for diversifying Iraq’s economic resources to mitigate the influence of neighboring countries.
Furthermore, Al-Halbousi projected that Iraq requires a decade to recover from regional conflicts and violence. On Syria, he refrained from commenting explicitly on the situation post-Bashar al-Assad regime, acknowledging that the new administration in Syria faces challenges in health, education, and employment sectors before it can gain full international support. He expressed hope for a governance system in Syria that aligns with its civil society nature.