Iraq President and demonstrators rage against the nomination of a pro-Iran Prime Minister

Baghdad: Severe reactions have emerged across Iran against the selection of Asaad al-Eidani, a pro-Iran candidate as a PM. President Barham Saleh has threatened to resign due to the selection of an Iran-backed candidate as the Prime Minister. Besides, Iraqi protestors have rushed to the streets and expressed their agitation by torching public properties and banning Iranian products.

Furthermore, President Saleh had given Iraq parliament the span until Monday midnight to improve Iraq’s election process and re-nominate a candidate for the position of the PM, who is not affiliated with a third-party nation. But, the Iraq parliament, violating President Saleh’s orders, recommended the name of Basra province’s governor, Asaad Al Eidani on Thursday. The Members of the Iraq Parliament claimed that Eidani’s selection would cease the violence and demonstrations in Iraq.

However, Eidani assuming power as PM will be against Iraq’s constitution, condemned President Saleh. He also accused Eidani of supporting Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Thus, President Saleh apprised that by electing Eidani as the PM, not only is Iraq disrespecting the law, but also the democracy.

All the parties of the Iraqi parliament have severely condemned this decision of the president. The ministers have cited that this decision of President Saleh will take a toll on the Iraqi citizens. Agitated by this response, President Saleh announced his resignation. ‘I cannot make a decision that would dupe the civilians of Iraq. The Iraq parliament can take the apt decision over my resignation,’ said President Saleh.

Severe reactions had emerged from the prime cities in Iraq after the Iraq parliament nominated Eidani as the PM. The civilians strongly opposed the Asaad regime and have begun torching the buildings; they also burned tyres and have blocked the roads. Furthermore, they have also boycotted Iranian products to protest the rising influence of Iran in the nation. Iraq imports produce worth $9bn from Iran. Moreover, Iraq’s export has dropped too low due to US sanctions. In such a situation, the boycott protests held in Iraq by the civilians has arisen a new challenge.