Iraqi Kurds will advance independence bid in 2015

2015 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Party ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Power Politics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Prime Ministers ◽  
Internal Politics ◽  
Oil Exports ◽  
Political Factions

Subject Iraqi Kurdish internal politics. Significance The parliament of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) undertook the first reading of a draft law to reform the powers of the region's executive presidency on June 23. The meeting dealt with proposed amendments to the 2005 KRG Presidency Law that would result in the president being elected by Kurdish legislators rather than directly by all KRI voters. The move is the first step in a long-awaited reform process spearheaded by political factions seeking to challenge the dominant Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)'s hold on power. Impacts KRG leaders will probably be preoccupied with internal negotiations for the remainder of the year. Kurds will press ahead with a return to independent oil exports, expansion in the Kirkuk area, and may ratify the new constitution. The shape of KRG power politics will change, with a reduced presidency and greater powers for prime ministers and the parliament. Independence moves could complicate KRG-Turkish ties at a sensitive moment for ties between Turkey's ruling AKP and Turkish Kurds.

Iraqi Kurds’ economic recovery will be limited

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Federal Government ◽  
Economic Recovery ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oil Exports ◽  
Economic Outlook

Subject The economic outlook for Iraq’s Kurdish region. Significance The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) has seen a limited economic recovery over the past year. It suffered catastrophically following the central government's imposition of sanctions following the region’s abortive 2017 independence bid. Impacts A likely larger federal government allocation to the KRI in the 2019/20 budget will facilitate economic recovery. Increased US pressure to boost Iraqi oil exports to Turkey will increase local government revenues. As both local and federal government revenues depend on oil, falling prices would cause another contraction.

Iraqi Kurdistan will face dilemmas over federal ties

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Federal Government ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Government Formation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Iraqi Kurdistan ◽  
Long Time

Significance Long-time Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani and new Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) chief Bafel Talabani discussed how to form a common front over government formation in Baghdad. The Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) is benefitting from temporary stability linked to higher oil prices. Impacts Kurdish hesitation on whether to commit to a Sadrist-led majority federal government will also simultaneously hold back Sunni groups. Both Turkey and Iran could become more militaristic in their approach to the KRI -- and each other. The intra-PUK deadlock could lead to fighting in Suleimaniya, but mediation is more likely, if senior party figures step up.

The 1992 Referendum in South Africa

1993 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annette Strauss
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Democratic Party ◽  
Conservative Party ◽  
The State ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Election Campaign ◽  
Right Wing ◽  
National Party ◽  
White Voters ◽  
The Right

The ruling National Party (N.P.) asked white voters during the 1989 election campaign for a mandate to negotiate with all concerned about a new constitution, an undivided South Africa, one citizenship, equal votes, protection of minorities, and the removal of stumbling blocks such as discrimination against people of colour.1 Although the N.P. achieved a cleat majority – 93 seats against 39 for the Conservative Party (C.P.) and 33 for the Democratic Party (D.P.) – the right-wing opposition made destinct progress by gaining 17 seats. After the C.P had captured a further three from the N.P. in by-elections, including Potchefstroom in February 1992, President F. W. de Klerk announced in Parliament that whites would be asked the following month to vote in a referendum in order to remove any doubts about his mandate. The carefully worded question which the electorate had to answer was as follows: Do you support continuation of the reform process which the State President began on February 2, 1990 and which is aimed at a new constitution through negotiation?

Iran can quickly hike oil exports as politics allow

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Market Share ◽  
Domestic Politics ◽  
Market Uncertainty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Plan ◽  
Oil Exports ◽  
Slow Progress

Significance Tehran’s more sophisticated sanctions avoidance tactics and greater willingness to test Washington’s enforcement have substantially boosted exports from 2019 lows. The slow progress on a US-Iranian mutual return to compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), has increased market uncertainty. Impacts Before sanctions lifting, limited waivers might add a few hundred thousand b/d of exports to US allies such as India, Japan and South Korea. New foreign oil investment will depend on views of Tehran’s domestic politics after June polls and the durability of a deal with Washington. Post-sanctions, Iran’s efforts to regain market share will create tensions with OPEC+ partners in quota negotiations.

The structure and changes of China’s land system

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liu Shouying
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Institutional Change ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Past ◽  
Land System ◽  
Rapid Economic Growth

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the structure and changes of China’s land system. To achieve this aim, the paper is divided into four parts. The first part gives a brief introduction to the structural characteristics of the Chinese land institutional arrangements; the second part analyzes the reform process of the land system in the past 40 years and its path of change; the third part engages the discussion about the historic contribution made by the land institutional change to rapid economic growth and structural changes; and the final part is conclusion and some policy implications. Design/methodology/approach After 40 years of reforms and opening up, China has not only created a growth miracle unparalleled for any major country in human history, but also transformed itself from a rural to an urban society. Behind this great transformation is a systemic reform in land institutions. Rural land institutions went from collectively owned to household responsibility system, thereby protecting farmers’ land rights. This process resulted in long-term sustainable growth in China’s agriculture, a massive rural-urban migration and a historical agricultural transformation. The conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses and the introduction of market mechanisms made land a policy tool in driving high economic growth, industrialization and urbanization. Findings Research shows that the role of land and its relationship with the economy will inevitably change as China’s economy enters a new stage of medium-to-high speed growth. With economic restructuring, low-cost industrial land will be less effective. Urbanization is also shifting from rapid expansion to endogenous growth so that returns on land capitalization will decrease and risks will increase. Therefore, China must abandon land-dependent growth model through deepening land reforms and adapt a new pattern of economic development. Originality/value This paper gives a brief introduction to the structural characteristics of the Chinese land institutional arrangements, analyzes the reform process of the land system in the past 40 years and its path of change, and evaluates the historic contribution made by the land institutional change to rapid economic growth and structural changes.

The role of the Troika on the Greek central government accounting reforms

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Cohen ◽  
Sotirios Karatzimas
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Financial Management ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Case Study Research ◽  
Extreme Case ◽  
Resource Dependency ◽  
Reform Process ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the Troika’s advent played in the progress of the budgeting and the financial reporting systems reform at the Greek central government level. Design/methodology/approach The approach of an extreme country case study is adopted. The data used in the paper have been identified through document analysis performed on the relevant documents produced by the Troika, the Greek Ministry of Finance, and other relevant sources. The reform process is seen through the lens of the neo-institutional theory and the resource dependency theory. Findings Although both reforms targeted the introduction of best international practices – particularly useful in periods of financial distress and scarce resources – the advent of the Troika affected their progress and changed the priorities. As a result, the reform was redirected toward strengthening the cash budgeting system. Research limitations/implications The study is subject to the limitations of an extreme case study research. Practical implications This is a case where resource dependency changes political priorities and directions and affects the evolvement of state budget and accounting reforms under way. Originality/value The role of external fund providers in public sector financial management reform priority-setting, in the case of a developed Eurozone country, is analyzed. The study contributes to the research agenda on accounting practices in times of austerity.

Kazakhstan curbs oil output but eyes future growth

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Tax Revenue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Instability ◽  
Public Investments ◽  
Market Impacts ◽  
Oil Exports ◽  
Oil And Gas Sector ◽  
Future Growth

Significance The oil sector's contribution to GDP fell last year, but this was due only to the market impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kazakhstan continues to depend heavily on oil exports for tax revenue and consequently for recurrent government spending and large public investments. Impacts Rising production at the Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan fields will increase their share of total output from 63% in 2020 to 72% in 2025. The continued concentration of foreign investment in the oil and gas sector will thwart attempts at economic diversification. Slowing production at old deposits in western and southern Kazakhstan is fraught with risks of social instability and unrest.

Impact of e-court systems implementation: a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rozha Kamal Ahmed ◽  
Khder Hassan Muhammed ◽  
Ingrid Pappel ◽  
Dirk Draheim
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Appellate Court ◽  
Court Case ◽  
Analysis Tool ◽  
Regional Government ◽  
Court System ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Content Type

Purpose E-court systems automate court processes and provide better case administration with more effective and efficient justice delivery. This paper aims to present the e-court system in the Sulaimaniyah Appellate Court in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a case study. It identifies significant improvements after adopting the system. Design/methodology/approach This study used a qualitative approach with an exploratory case study design. Data collected from a triangulation of three sources through structured expert interviews with 30 stakeholders, personal observations by two of the authors, supported by analyzing current relevant literature. R package for Qualitative Data Analysis was the analysis tool. Findings Findings showed 10 improvements that enhanced court efficiency and effectiveness concerning better case administration, a more transparent process and increased court case security. Research limitations/implications This research is limited to improvements after adopting an e-court system. Practical implications This research provides a foundation for practitioners who are on the way to implement the e-court system and serves the decision-makers in the Kurdistan Regional Government to plan future expansion in the region. Originality/value This research focuses on the e-court system in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It is implemented as a first e-service to be a pilot for a broader plan to integrate all appellate courts in other cities in the Kurdistan of Iraq, hence, stepping toward the implementation of e-government.

Russia row will erode Czech trust in politicians

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Military Intelligence ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Services ◽  
Internal Politics ◽  
Soviet Invasion ◽  
Intelligence Service

Significance The security services have revealed that Russia’s GRU military intelligence service was behind an explosion at an arms depot in Vrbetice in 2014, in which two Czechs died. The affair has had far-reaching consequences for both Czech-Russian relations and internal politics. Impacts Anti-Russian sentiment among Czechs will grow, building on memories of the 1968 Soviet invasion. Hamacek’s erratic course and departure from the CSSD’s traditional pro-Western stance will bring his party to the brink of unelectability. Heightened tensions on the Russian-Ukrainian border will deter Western governments from a stronger response to the Vrbetice affair.

Sudan's foreign policy balance will remain fragile

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
Foreign Investment ◽  
Foreign Relations ◽  
Power Sharing ◽  
Political Uncertainty ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Political Factions ◽  
International Sanctions

Significance This goal was implicitly a response to the previous three decades of foreign relations under ousted former President Omar al-Bashir, when Sudan struggled under international sanctions, isolation and fluctuating foreign policy fortunes. Impacts Contrasting foreign policy orientations among political factions may be a source of tension within the power-sharing government. Contradictory agreements with other countries will be a liability. Foreign investment inflows will remain muted, at least until economic and political uncertainty fades.

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