Iraq's political crisis deepens as Allawi withdraws PM candidacy

An aerial picture taken by a drone shows Iraqi protesters at the Al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Iraqi protesters carry the Iraqi national flag as they gather on concret blocks which were used by security forces to close the Al-Khilani square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Iraqi protesters carry the Iraqi national flag as they gather on concreat blocks which were used by security forces to close the Al-Khilani square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Anti-government protesters hold pictures of protesters who have been killed in anti-government demonstrations, during a rally in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

Protesters carry symbolic Iraqi flag-draped coffins of people who have been killed in anti-government protests, during a rally in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

An anti-government protester holds a placard in Arabic that reads, "the people want to bring down the regime," during a rally in Baghdad, Iraq. AP Photo

A protester chants anti-government slogans during a rally in Baghdad, Iraqs. AP Photo

Iraqi protesters beat on the drums during a protest at the Al-khilani square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Iraqi protesters carry the Iraqi national flag as they gather on concret blocks which were used by security forces to close the Al-Khilani square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

An Iraqi protester holds live ammunition which was allegedly used by security forces during clashes with protesters at the Al-Khilani square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

An aerial picture taken by a drone shows Iraqi protesters at the Al-Tahrir square in central Baghdad, Iraq. EPA

Iraq’s political stalemate deepened on Monday when Prime Minister designate Mohammed Allawi withdrew his candidacy after failing to secure parliamentary backing for his cabinet. The move, a month after Mr Allawi's appointment, plunges the country into further political chaos following months of unrest and a violent police crackdown.

“If I agreed to offer concessions, I would be prime minister now, but I tried everything possible to save the country from sliding toward the unknown and resolve the current crisis. But the negotiations hit repeated snags,” he said in a short address to the nation, explaining his decision to withdraw.

Iraq’s President Barham Salih now has 15 days to choose a new candidate for prime minister. In a tweet on Sunday, Mr Allawi accused lawmakers of obstructing his attempt to form a government after Iraq’s parliament failed to approve his cabinet for the second time in a week.

“I submitted a letter to the President of the Republic, in which he apologised for assigning me to form the government," he said. "I was in front of this equation, the position of prime minister in exchange for lack of honesty with my people and continuing the position at the expense of their suffering."

In the letter, Mr Allawi charged that some factions were "not serious about reform or fulfilling their pledges to the people". It’s the first time a premier-designate has failed to secure parliamentary backing for a cabinet line-up in Iraq.

One Iraqi official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP that "political leaders are living in a bubble" and dealing with the crisis "as though nothing has happened in the country".

Mr Allawi was appointed last month in an attempt to ease tensions in Iraq after anti-government protests forced the resignation of former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in November.

He was chosen as a consensus candidate among Iraq’s divided political parties but his appointment met with criticism among protesters, many of whom consider him to be part of the political elite they have rallied against.

But delays and political infighting marred the weeks leading up to Sunday’s Parliament session as Allawi insisted he would select his own ministers — a move that alienated Kurdish and Sunni parties in particular and sparked threats of boycott.

Many have celebrated his departure as a victory for Iraqis. "We have already removed Abdel Mahdi and now Allawi," said Roqiya, a 20-year-old student demonstrating in Baghdad, who charged that "political parties pursue only their own interests".

The influential Iraqi cleric Moqtada Al Sadr, who holds significant sway among Iraq’s majority Shia population, hailed Mr Allawi’s decision as taken “for the love of Iraq.”

Mr Al Sadr initially threw his weight behind the protesters, accusing “corrupt” politicians of “holding the country hostage” before withdrawing his support last month.

The protesters instead support Alaa al-Rikaby, a pharmacist who has emerged as a prominent activist in the southern protest hotspot of Nasiriyah.

On Sunday morning, as the country marked five months since the uprising began, protesters in Baghdad’s Tahrir Square demanded Mr Allawi’s resignation.

Since early October, more than 500 people have been killed in violent crackdowns by security forces, who have used tear gas and live ammunition on the largely peaceful demonstrators.

The protests have coincided with rising tensions between the US and Iran, which has played out on Iraqi soil over recent months.

On Sunday night, two Katyusha rockets fell inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and embassies, with one landing near the US embassy. No casualties were reported from the attack, which came within hours of Mr Allawi withdrawing his candidacy.

Since October there have been numerous attacks on US assets in Iraq, including military bases. Most have not been claimed but Washington has blamed Iran-backed group Hashed Al Shaabi, a loose coalition of militias officially incorporated into Iraq's state security forces.