All demands of protesters seeking dissolution of the government are “legitimate”, but ongoing grievance would grow if government steps down - Iraqi PM
A still image taken from a video shows Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi delivering a speech on reforms ahead of planned protest, in Baghdad, Iraq October 25, 2019.
"The resignation of the government may lead to further deepening of the problems in the country. Due to its limited authority, the interim government cannot approve the budget and realize the reforms demanded," the premier said. After eight people were killed during the day on Monday, security forces shot dead at least five others overnight or early on Tuesday, including one killed with live fire at a funeral procession for another who died hours earlier.
He has said he is willing to resign if politicians agree on a replacement, and has promised a number of reforms. But protesters say that is not enough and the entire political class needs to go.Since putting down an insurgency by Daesh in 2017, Iraq has enjoyed two years of comparative stability. But despite its oil wealth, many people live in poverty with limited access to clean water, electricity, health care or education.
By the end of last week, tens of thousands of people were turning out daily for by far the biggest anti-government demonstrations since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.
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