A message of frankness and economy to Mr. Al-Zaidi
A message of frankness and economy to Mr. Al-Zaidi
2026-05-29
Dr. Shwan Zangana
I know that you are aware of the circumstances of his nomination and subsequent selection as Prime Minister from among the many political structures and pillars in Iraq, but it seems that you have not realized that your presidency is different from all the presidencies of those who preceded you, not in terms of the entity that brought you out like a hair from dough from among them, nor in terms of the task assigned to you, nor in terms of the circumstances that brought you to power, nor in terms of the support that will pour down on you, locally and globally.
Mr. President, you began your work by imitating them, when it should have been different from them, as you ordered the removal of your pictures from your offices, and prevented ministers from appointing their office managers from outside the ministry. These are old theatrics and broken records in which Okasha preceded you, as the saying goes.
And the matter does not stop at these blatant and repeated charades, but you have imitated them in continuing their economic crimes against Iraq, as you made promises of employment, reassured employees about the regularity of their salaries, and pledged to expand social assistance, at a time when the state is actually suffering from a severe liquidity crisis and a chronic deficit in public finances, while financing options appear limited and complex.
Mr. President
As the new Prime Minister, you are certainly not responsible for the poor economic data in Iraq, which is not encouraging but rather alarming. It is known that you inherited it from your predecessors. However, you are certainly required to exercise administrative caution and economic discipline, and you are tasked with being frank with your people, who are reeling under the weight of the remnants of the economic crimes of the successive Iraqi governments that preceded yours.
Mr. President
Your Excellency is tasked and obligated to refrain from imitating those who came before you, firstly, and to correct the mistakes they committed, secondly, starting with honesty with the people, confronting them with the facts, preparing them to endure the difficulties of the next stage, explaining these difficulties, and how to overcome them within a period of time, included in an economic policy that may be harsh in its early stages, in its financial and monetary aspects, until the institutional foundations, economic prosperity, and national development are established.
Mr. President
Face the people with courage and boldness, and tell them: “The state is suffering from a financial crisis that may cause salary cuts and the dismissal of some of its employees, and some investment projects may stop, which will create a recession that may be severe in the markets, and we will be forced to borrow externally, as local banks are unable to lend to the state because they have reached their peak in this regard, and we may not be able to finance all import files, and this means a rise in the prices of imported goods… All of this, and more, I tell you frankly, not to create a state of pessimism and despair, but to show that we have understood the economic data and diagnosed its causes.” We, and you with us, will strive to alleviate its impact and address its shortcomings through a national economic program that differs radically from its predecessors, and together we will experience its positive results in the foreseeable future, God willing.
Mr. President
You can be honest with your people, the current circumstances are favorable for that, and your government is not like previous governments. You can address the structural imbalance in the economy, because internal and external support will back you. You can diversify and finance the economy and attract foreign investment. All of that is possible, only if you decide to be different, patriotic, and in harmony with the new political system in the Middle East.
I wish you success, guidance, and distinction from your predecessors.
shafaq.com
