FORMATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE PARTY IN POST-WAR IRAQ

In the post-World War II period, as turbulent times were sweeping the Middle East, the Iraqi political elite became aware that the liberal and moderate nationalists had begun to come to the fore in Iraqi politics. The victory of the British Labour Party in the parliamentary elections of 1945 was particularly discussed in political circles in Baghdad. Owing to continued protests made by representatives of various shades of opinion, the regent, motivated principally by political expedience, took the unprecedented step and on 27 December 1945 in front of deputies and senators announced measures to liberalise the political order. He called for the formation of political parties, and promised full freedom for their activities and the inauguration of economic and social reforms. The task was entrusted to Tawfīq as-Suwaydī who brought into his cabinet younger personnel whose political outlook was less inflexible than that of the old politicians. This government was naturally short lived.