Vice President Adil Abd al-Mahdi
Born in An-Nasiriya in 1942 and grew up in Baghdad.
Son of the Minister of Education during the reign of King Faysal I in the 1920s.
Earned a degree in Economics from College of Trade and Economics in Baghdad in 1959.
Left Iraq after he was sentenced to death because of his political activity.
Studied for Master's degrees in political science and economics in France from 1968-1972.
Worked for a number of research centers in France, including the French Institute for Islamic Studies; Chief editor of several Arab and French-speaking newspapers and author of a number of books.
Said that he was widely influenced by the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran and was a co-founder of SCIRI in the 1980s in Iran.
SCIRI's representative in Kurdistan 1992 - 1996.
Played a key role in talks to write off Iraqi debts following the fall of the regime.
Assumed post of Minister of Finance in the Allawi-led cabinet.
Selected as vice president following the January 2005 elections as a representative of the Shiite slate; re-elected vice president following the December 2005 elections.
Considered the second most important figure at the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq [ISCI].
Known to have adopted several political ideologies at different times: Ba'athism, a Maoist Marxism, an Islamism, and liberal economics.
He also believes that the US troops should not withdraw from Iraq except when "there is no security vacuum and furthermore when Iraqi potentials are solid enough to provide the Iraqis with security."
An advocate of federalism which he says represents "the perfect solution for Iraq."
Is said to represent a strong secular current within the Unified Iraqi Alliance and promotes a version of political Islam that is more moderate than the Iranian model.
Believes that the Shiite religious authority should have a role to play in running the affairs of the country, but should also allow democratic policies to participate.
A strong supporter of a market-oriented economy as well as of decentralization.
Is said to enjoy good relations with US National Security members.
Says that he was influenced by the biographies of Ghandi, Winston Churchill, and Al-Khumayni.
Lost a brother, who was an advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, in an attack in October 2005.
Has four children all of whom are French citizens.
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