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World

Iraqi prime minister says he will seek a popular mandate to change constitution

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi addresses the media during the International Youth Day celebration in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. Iraq's parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved an ambitious reform plan that would cut spending and eliminate senior posts, including the three largely symbolic vice presidencies, following mass protests against corruption and poor services. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) (The Associated Press)

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    Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi attends the International Youth Day celebration in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. Iraq's parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved an ambitious reform plan that would cut spending and eliminate senior posts, including the three largely symbolic vice presidencies, following mass protests against corruption and poor services. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi addresses the media during the International Youth Day celebration in Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2015. Iraq's parliament on Tuesday unanimously approved an ambitious reform plan that would cut spending and eliminate senior posts, including the three largely symbolic vice presidencies, following mass protests against corruption and poor services. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) (The Associated Press)

BAGHDAD – Iraq's prime minister says he will seek a popular mandate to change the constitution, amid widespread calls to fight corruption and curtail government spending.

Speaking at a conference in Baghdad on Wednesday, Haider al-Abadi said that he respects the current constitution, implemented in 2005, but believes "it is incomplete."

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Baghdad and cities across the country last week calling on al-Abadi to dissolve the parliament and remove corrupt officials.

Lawmakers on Tuesday unanimously approved a reform plan proposed by al-Abadi.

The plan eliminates the three vice presidencies and the three deputy prime minister posts, dismantling part of the top-heavy government established after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.