Risks Of Instability Rising

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's call to reduce the size of the cabinet will weaken the stability of the coalition, in our view. In response to public protests over the inadequate provision of basic services in February (including shortages in electricity and food rations, among others), Maliki imposed on his cabinet a 100-day ultimatum to either improve the services of their respective ministries or risk losing their ministerial posts. The deadline passed in mid-June, and local media sources stated that there were few signs of improvement in public services. However, Maliki announced on June 23 that, while most ministries had performed well, several had failed to improve their performance, and added that all unnecessary and honorary posts should be eliminated.

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