TRUMP IS THE HERO OF THE BAGHDAD STREET… IRAQIS TELL RUDAW: WE AWAIT THE US PRESIDENT’S DECISION
In Baghdad, the most talked-about topic is the selection of the next prime minister. At the same time, citizens are not optimistic about the choices made by the Coordination Framework, believing that it “will nominate one of its members or someone close to it, who will be no different from his predecessors.” These are the prevailing opinions we heard from Iraqis here in the capital, Baghdad.
Rudaw Media Network surveyed the opinions of some Baghdad residents from various professions about their expectations regarding the new head of government. It became clear that US President Donald Trump is the “hero of the street,” and that they are waiting for his decisions and actions to intervene this time to choose “a just, honest, and strong prime minister who will resolve most of the outstanding issues.”
I met Raeda Faleh, a retiree, at the Iraq International Book Fair. She was the one who initiated the conversation after learning I was a journalist, asking in her colloquial Iraqi dialect, “Who will become prime minister?” I replied, “I don’t know. What do you expect?” She fell silent, then replied despairingly, “I don’t expect anyone better than the previous ones. They’re all the same… the same mindset… the same corruption. And now we hear news about the government not having any money, and we retirees and other employees are worried about our daily lives. I worked for the government for almost 30 years, and today I receive a pension that barely covers my basic needs, 750,000 dinars, while a member of parliament works for less than three years, makes deals, takes all the perks, and then retires with an astronomical pension. Where is the justice? Where is their concern for the people?” She finished her remarks as she left, again in colloquial Arabic, “I’m going to look for a useful book… politics is a headache and a real headache.”
(Mnt Goat: Sounds like Congress and the Senate in the U.S. .. 
)
But Hussam Mustafa, a 27-year-old barber in the Karrada district, was more enthusiastic about US President Trump. He spoke while expertly wielding his scissors, saying, “Uncle Trump will come and change everything.
I’m optimistic about his statements and decisions.” I said, “Trump is the president of the United States, not the president of Iraq. Iraqis are the ones who should choose their prime minister and cabinet members.” He replied, “Iraq has waited for years, and a suitable prime minister hasn’t been chosen.”
He added, “I support al-Sudani staying. He has accomplished a lot, and he’s a humble man. A few weeks ago, he came for a walk here in Karrada, sat in a café (a coffee shop with a book), and talked with people. I was standing there listening to him. This hasn’t happened with any other senior Iraqi official.
(Again…. This sounds like Trump again….)
He received the most votes, and my family and I voted for him in the elections. Why shouldn’t he stay in his position?” He pointed out that “Trump is with al-Sudani, and I think he’ll stay for a second term.”
