BAGHDAD (Reuters) – As unrest sweeps the Middle East, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he would give up half his salary in a possible bid to head off simmering discontent, and called for a two-term limit to be placed on his office.
Iraqis have held sporadic protests against food, power and water shortages and their plight acquired particular attention this month as a wave of anti-government protests rocked the region. Unlike other countries in the region, however, Iraq’s former autocratic regime has already been swept away, in the 2003 US-led invasion.
Maliki’s media advisor, Ali al-Moussawi, said the premier would forego 50 per cent of his $30,000 monthly paycheck to bring his salary closer to other government employees.
“He feels there is a huge difference and says this leads to a kind of caste system in society,” Moussawi said. Maliki made the announcement in a statement late on Friday.
Yesterday, Maliki reiterated that he supported efforts to seek a constitutional reform that would place a two-term limit on the office of prime minister, Moussawi said.
As things stand, Iraq’s prime minister can run for re-election an unlimited number of times, while the president can only serve two terms.
Hundreds of people gathered in Baghdad yesterday to demand better basic services. On Thursday, police fired on protesters making similar demands near the southern city of Diwaniya.