DUBAI (S&P Global Ratings) Nov. 13, 2019--The large street protests that started in Baghdad in early October and spread across southern Iraq are unlikely to have an immediate impact on S&P Global Ratings' view of Iraq's sovereign creditworthiness. Nor do we expect the planned measures taken in response to protests will significantly improve the effectiveness of government institutions in the short term, given the deep-rooted challenges the country faces. The protests transcend sectarian divisions between Shia and Sunni Muslims. They erupted following widespread dissatisfaction with the government's ineffectiveness and frustration over alleged corruption. Prime Minister Abdul Mahdi has offered to resign, and President Barham Salih has proposed fresh elections. However, we note that the process of government formation took over
