The recent quarrel, exchange of accusations and threats — which took place between the head of Iraq’s executive branch, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the head of the legislative branch, parliamentary speaker Osama al-Nujaifi — cannot be considered a sound situation that is able to serve the future of democracy in this country.

We are not referring here to differences and settlements that have reached between the legislative and executive branches in the judicious democratic experiments. The latter are the ideal way to make sure that performance is controlled, and vitality and transparency are added to political life.

The developments regarding the aggravated and tense relationship between the various branches of power in Iraq are completely different. They did not only lead to the stagnated and ineffective performance of all branches, but they have also resulted in serious social and security repercussions, and in the use of the available issues in the conflict for political purposes.

There are also reasons that led to this reality. The legislative and executive branches were selected based on a [certain] vision of representation or sectarian quotas. Based on that, the premiership went to a Shiite, the post of speaker of the house of representatives to a Sunni, whereas the Kurds assumed the role of the president, who is supposed to make sure that powers are separated and they coordinate with each other in accordance with the constitution.