Brief Twitter interview with a member of Iraq’s Parliament

Social media has enabled conversations to occur on a scale unlike ever before.  While obvious, I know, this brief chat brought the point home to me.  I reached out to Dr. Mahmoud Othman, a Member of the Parliament in Iraq, to understand the challenges he sees in bringing together a unified Iraqi Government.

Remember, this was done over Twitter where questions and answer length is limited.  While not a long interview, I hope you find it interesting and useful.

Q.  Dr. Othman, do you expect a more active focus on #opengov, citizen engagement, with the new government?
A.  Citizens are giving it an opportunity to prove that it could serve them & decrease their sufferings, they will then decide.

Q.  Thank you Sir. What are your biggest challenges you foresee in meeting those goals? Basic services?
A.  The biggest challenges are achieving real reconciliation, overcoming bureaucracy & seriously dealing with widespread corruption

Q.  Dr. Othman, following up. Do you see room for a transparent budgeting process to reduce corruption? Other solutions?
A.  Yes I see room for that, we are now discussing the budget & this will take sometime. All partners in the govt should cooperate.