BAGHDAD
An Iraqi lawmaker has said that a presidential decision to refer a controversial retirement law back to parliament after rejecting two of its articles would not prevent its eventual enactment.
"Despite the patriotic stance taken by the presidency not to endorse the retirement law, it will have no legal effect," Hassan al-Yasri, a constitutional expert and member of parliament, told Anadolu Agency.
According to al-Yasri, under Iraq's constitution, the president lacks the authority to challenge laws enacted by parliament.
"The president only has the authority to formally endorse the law within 15 days of receiving it," al-Yasri explained.
"If he doesn't ratify it, the law is automatically enacted within 15 days and published in the official gazette," he added.
Recently passed by parliament, the legislation calls for improving retirement benefits for civil servants.
The law has been met with demonstrations, with protesters accusing lawmakers and top officials of using the legislation to secure themselves lucrative retirement packages.
According to presidential sources, the presidency rejected articles 37 and 38 of the law, referring them back to parliament for review.
The two articles call for special retirement benefits for government officials, including their pre-retirement salary amounts.
Under the legislation, a minimum of 400,000 Iraqi dinars (roughly $340) should be earmarked for retirement packages for government employees. No maximum limit was specified.
The new law has triggered mass demonstrations in Baghdad and other Iraqi cities in the past two weeks.
Protesters demand that the new retirement appropriations be re-diverted to other government sectors to "alleviate the suffering" of Iraqi citizens.
Since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country, Iraq's economy has continued to reel.
Pressure from the ongoing demonstrations prompted influential Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr and several MPs affiliated with his political bloc – who had voted in favor of the new law – to withdraw from political life.
By Sanan Adnan
englishnews@aa.com.tr
