Following the success in the government formation process, Iraq Parliament will hold its first meeting of the new process today. The agenda of the meeting is the negotiations on ministries.

Following the elections in March, the parliament opened the way of the new period by appointing President Celal Talabani one week before the end of 8 months period, which was determined to form the government in Constitution. The persistent stand of Kurdish part and the clearance of Presidency seat enabled Prime Minister Nuri El Maliki form the new government.

The coincidence of the new period working with the feast holiday however caused a one week delay. The meeting on Sunday will give start to negotiations on ministries of the new government.

The first subject of the parliament will be redefining the structuring that is known as the Council of National Strategic Policies. Iyad Allawi is expected to be assigned as the chair of the council.

Capital city Baghdad passed the feast unexpectedly calmly this year. The absence of serious clashes was commented as an overcome of the crisis in political area and reconciliation on the new government. Iraq put signature to a new world record with the government formation workings that started after the 7 March elections and lasted for 8 months. The process is still not completed. President Talabani will officially assign Prime Minister Nuri El Maliki the task to form the government. Maliki is supposed to form the government in 30 days and expected to face difficulties in dispersion of ministries particularly among Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites. The authorization level of the Council of National Strategic Policies, which will be redefined in the presidency of Allawi, is also expected to witness intense discussions.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil