video-Iraqi Kurdistan opposition groups slam draft constitut
Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 4:03 pm
The constitution was endorsed during Kurdistan’s first parliamentary term since 1992. Critics say there was no strong opposition force in 2009. The independent opposition at the time had seven seats out of 111. Kurdistan’s main opposition - the Change Movement - entered the picture after the constitution was endorsed.
Former MP Nouri Talabani sat on the committee that drafted the constitution. He told Niqash website that “the constitution contains many legal flaws”. The constitution took years to write but Talabani said: “The drafting committee actually changed around 22 articles and paragraphs within two months, and while one third of its members was not present.” He said those articles related to the political system, the president’s powers and election, and Kurdistan’s borders. He added: “Those articles are obviously controversial today.”
MPs want a parliamentary system rather than a presidential one. Iraq’s central government has a parliamentary system.
It’s unclear if a referendum could be held before September’s elections to allow president Barzani to run for a third term. Nonetheless, a parliamentary system would curtail the powers of the president and the security forces. Critics of a parliamentary system say the public should elect the president, rather than the parliament.
In 2011, all parties supported a law which said the Constitution must be sent back to the Parliament. But nothing happened. Kurdistan’s ruling Patriotic Union of Kurdistan wants amendments to be made. But president Barzani’s partner ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party says only the public can decide over the fate of the Constitution.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/31 ... dum-plans/
Former MP Nouri Talabani sat on the committee that drafted the constitution. He told Niqash website that “the constitution contains many legal flaws”. The constitution took years to write but Talabani said: “The drafting committee actually changed around 22 articles and paragraphs within two months, and while one third of its members was not present.” He said those articles related to the political system, the president’s powers and election, and Kurdistan’s borders. He added: “Those articles are obviously controversial today.”
MPs want a parliamentary system rather than a presidential one. Iraq’s central government has a parliamentary system.
It’s unclear if a referendum could be held before September’s elections to allow president Barzani to run for a third term. Nonetheless, a parliamentary system would curtail the powers of the president and the security forces. Critics of a parliamentary system say the public should elect the president, rather than the parliament.
In 2011, all parties supported a law which said the Constitution must be sent back to the Parliament. But nothing happened. Kurdistan’s ruling Patriotic Union of Kurdistan wants amendments to be made. But president Barzani’s partner ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party says only the public can decide over the fate of the Constitution.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2013/05/31 ... dum-plans/