Iraqi Protesters Call for Dismissal of President after PM’s Resignation

Following Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi’s announcement of his resignation, Iraqi protesters are now pushing for the resignation or dismissal of the country’s president, Barham Salih, said a lawmaker.

Abdul Mahdi said on Friday that he was resigning in hopes of resolving the current crisis in the country by establishing a new government under a different leadership.

MP Mohammed Baldawi said on Sunday that the parliamentary factions have now begun negotiations to find a solution to the unrest by responding to protesters’ demands.

He explained that they are expecting president’s dismissal to follow parliament’s approval on PM’s resignation. “Then the parliament could be dissolved for a snap election,” he added.

However, this could further complicate the political situation in Iraq with many foreign actors playing on the ground, and it could create many legal, security, and administrative vacuums if happened. Source