Iraqi parliament speaker unveils new political party

By Ibrahim Saleh

BAGHDAD

The launch of a new political party headed by Iraqi Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jubouri was announced on Friday in capital Baghdad.

At a press conference, al-Jubouri said the new party -- dubbed the Civil Rally for Reform -- would seek to “develop effective policies aimed at finding real solutions to the political, economic and social problems facing the Iraqi state and people”.

Al-Jubouri cited terrorism, displacement, unbridled emigration, poverty, unemployment, corruption and a lack of public services as the main problems now confronting Iraq.

Describing the new party as “democratic with conservative leanings”, the parliament leader asserted: “We are taking the first step on a long road that will bring us together to serve our people, society and homeland.”

He added: “The comprehensive reform process sought by the Iraqi people requires a serious reading of the political arena and the aspirations of the Iraqi people.”

Al-Jubouri, who has served as parliament speaker since mid-2014, is also a former leader of the Iraqi Islamic Party, a component of the Union of Iraqi Forces, which is considered the largest Sunni bloc in parliament.

The new party’s launch comes amid preparations for Iraqi provincial elections slated for September and parliamentary polls scheduled for next year.