Al Maliki I Government - Key Legislation Passed

Key Legislation Passed

The government passed the following key items of legislation:

• The Federalism Law (October 2006), which provided for the formation of new Regions of Iraq

• The Unified Retirement Law (October 2007), restored pensions to former Baathists

• The Accountability and Justice Law (January 2008), also known as the de-Baathification reforms, reinstated jobs and pensions to low-ranking Baath Party members, made the de-Baathification Commission permanent and extended de-Baathification to the judiciary. The law was passed by a majority vote by the Presidency Council after Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi refused to sign.

• The General Amnesty Law (February 2008) allowed for the pardoning and release of all prisoners detained for more than 6 months without charge or 12 months without trial, unless suspected of the most serious crimes.

• The Provincial Powers Act (February 2008) was passed by a majority of only 1 and detailed the division of powers between Governorates of Iraq and the federal government. The law gave the Prime Minister the power to dismiss governors. However, the Presidency Council vetoed this law, saying it violated the constitutions provisions on the powers of the governorates. It also provided for a Provincial Elections Law, to be passed within 90 days and new elections to be held by October 2008.