The European Union has hailed the formation of the new Iraqi government led by Prime Minister Muhamad Shiaa al Sudani as an important step towards stability in the country after months of political deadlock and violence following November’s legislative elections.
«The European Union congratulates Prime Minister Muhamad al Sudani on the successful vote and the confidence of his government in the Iraqi Parliament,» according to a note applauding this «good day for Iraq, as well as for relations between the European Union and Iraq, and an important step towards ensuring the stability and prosperity of the country.»
Furthermore, «the European Union looks forward to working closely with the Prime Minister and his government, and to supporting the implementation of the announced reform program and the fight against corruption».
Brussels, finally, «reiterates its readiness to host the EU-Iraq Cooperation Council as soon as possible» before insisting that «the European Union will continue to support the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Iraq».
Iraq was in political paralysis following the early legislative elections of October 2021, in which the movement in favor of the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr won, only to end up withdrawing from the hemicycle in protest against the lack of political will to form a government.
Parliament was scheduled to hold the vote to elect the president in February, but was postponed due to disputes arising from the elections and the blockade by pro-Iranian parties and militias, in a scenario of political chaos and constant protests by the cleric’s supporters, who went so far as to take over Parliament.
