Will Abadi's Reforms work?

Some political analysts said that while the adoption of the reform packages was important, what was extraordinary was that Iraqi politicians actually found themselves having to make serious and comprehensive reforms and were forced to concede high offices and political and financial benefits.

This perhaps was the first time that the government has listened to the demands of protesters by offering practical reforms. Since 2003, no leaders of federal and local governments had announced serious reform steps until this month. They had only made promises, which led to the Iraqis losing all hope that services would improve.

The implementation of the reforms on the ground could either happen through creating appropriate mechanisms and enacting legislation, or may be hindered by legal complexities and red tape. It is likely that the political differences between the parties and blocs as well as security requirements may disrupt the implementation of reforms. Thus, there is still a risk that people's demands will not be met.

What is needed at this point is an initiative by the political forces to call on parliament to form working groups, request experts from outside parliament and even from international programs and institutes such as the United Nations Development Program's Global Anti-Corruption Initiative or the American Anti-Corruption Institute (AACI) that are able to provide a carefully thought-out roadmap for reforms. This is not to mention the need to spot the defects in Iraq’s administrative, political, financial and security systems, knowing that these weaknesses are visible and have been the subject of study for years at all levels.

Abadi ought to be prompt in forming serious and fair working groups to set the wheels of the reforms in motion, and to look for the best shortcuts to bring about change on the ground.