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Bush Administration Considers Shiite Minister for Iraq's Prime Minister Role

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Bush administration is considering Dr. Mahdi al-Hafidh, a secular-leaning Shiite, to be the prime minister of Iraq's caretaker government when the American occupation is dissolved on June 30. Dr. al-Hafidh, currently Iraq's planning minister, has won the support of Lakhdar Brahimi, the special United Nations envoy enlisted by the Bush administration to help select the caretaker government. American officials see Dr. al-Hafidh's identity as a Shiite as likely to help shore up the support of Ayatollah Sistani for the caretaker government, but also said that his secularism means he would not favor an Islamist government. The caretaker government is expected to have limited powers until plans are made for an election in early 2005.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Bush administration is considering Dr. Mahdi al-Hafidh, a secular-leaning Shiite, to be the prime minister of Iraq's caretaker government after June 30.
  • Dr. al-Hafidh has won the support of Lakhdar Brahimi, the special United Nations envoy enlisted by the Bush administration to help select the caretaker government.
  • American officials see Dr. al-Hafidh's identity as a Shiite as likely to help shore up the support of Ayatollah Sistani for the caretaker government.
  • The caretaker government is expected to have limited powers, with no final say on deployment of its own security forces and no ability to enact laws.
  • The annex to the transitional administrative law adopted in March is aimed at making these limits more explicit.
  • Ayatollah Sistani is concerned that the caretaker government might bar the possibility of Islamic law governing family issues in Iraq.
  • Shiites are demanding that any provision for the role of Islamic law should only be made by an elected government.
  • The prison minister's role is seen as crucial in winning over Ayatollah Sistani's support for the caretaker government.
  • Plans for the interim government call for a president to be a largely ceremonial job and for two deputy prime ministers who are to help in the day-to-day governing of Iraq.
  • The caretaker Iraqi government is expected to have perhaps a dozen cabinet ministers, to be filled by nonpartisan technocrats.

Statistics:

  • 1,500: The number of Iraqis that Lakhdar Brahimi wants to convene in a 'national conference' to choose the deputy prime ministers and president.
  • 2: The number of deputy prime ministers in the caretaker government.
  • 1: The role of the caretaker government in governance, with limited powers and no ability to enact laws.
  • 2005: The year in which plans are made for an election in Iraq.

Sources:

  • Administration officials
  • Lakhdar Brahimi, special United Nations envoy
  • Ayatollah Sistani
  • Dr. Mahdi al-Hafidh, Iraq's planning minister
  • Iraqi officials
  • Congressional testimony

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