Ali, 35, was born in Baghdad, where he works in a five-star hotel. He seems far more interested in his work than the shape of Iraq’s next government.
Politicians are locked in heated discussion behind closed doors on the formation of the next Iraqi government, as widespread protests against poor services and a lack of jobs rock the streets outside.
According to Iraq’s minister of labor, the unemployment rate now stands at 18 percent.
“A national government should be formed that includes all the communities of Iraq,” Dr Nawfal Abu Raghif, a spokesman for the Hikma Front, told Rudaw.
However, he did not offer a clear position on how the Kurds might participate in such a new government.
There are many different nations and religions in Iraq – the most predominant being Shiite Arabs, Sunni Arabs, and Kurds.
“Whether it is Kurds, Arabs, Sunnis, Shiites, Kakayes, or Turkmen forming the government is not important. What matters is for the government to meet all the conditions,” a spokesperson for Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sayirun alliance came first in the May 12 election, told Rudaw.
Sadr recently published 42 conditions for anyone who wants to become prime minister of Iraq – most importantly they are independent. This alone will prevent former PM Nouri al-Maliki from returning to office, and undermines the chances of incumbent PM Haider al-Abadi keeping his job.
Kurdish leaders are committed to the Iraqi constitution, which enshrines many Kurdish rights. This is despite concerns the constitution has frequently been violated.
During the Dawa party’s 12-year rule, the legal and constitutional rights of the Kurds were violated and economic embargoes imposed on them.
“Kurds are an important community in Iraq and should take part in the formation of the government and be partners,” Ali Alaq, an official from Abadi’s Nasr (Victory) alliance, told Rudaw.
Rudaw’s reporter had to pass through three checkpoints to reach the hotel where Alaq had arranged to be interviewed. Dozens of concrete blast barriers remain on Baghdad’s roads.
Five Shiite and Sunni parties shared their views with Rudaw, both on and off the record. They all said the Kurds are an influential community, but insisted will not allow them break away from Iraq.
Asked whether the Kurds are likely to use their referendum mandate in government negotiations, the Victory Alliance official said: “I don’t believe the Kurds will use this unconstitutional card.”
No Shiite or Sunni party has given a clear solution to the Kurdish question in Iraq. The Kurds, therefore, are going to an empty table in Baghdad.
Sunni Arabs have conditions to participate in the formation of the next Iraqi government.
Saleh Mutlag, secretary of the Iraqi National Dialogue Front, told Rudaw one of its demands is “the withdrawal of Hashd al-Shaabi forces from Nineveh and other Sunni areas.”
Despite months of talks, no party has succeeded in establishing a coalition capable of taking office.
The front led by Sadr includes Sayirun, Hikma, and al-Watanya. The front led by Nasr is holding discussions with Kurdish parties. Another front, which includes the Hashd-linked Fatih, Maliki’s State of Law, and Fadhila (Islamic Virtue Party), is also in discussion with the Kurds.
The Kurds may well play kingmaker.
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