The Iraqi Parliament failed to elect a new speaker on Sunday, following the dismissal of former speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, according to a report by The Xinhua news agency. The failure was attributed to political wrangling among parliamentary political blocs.
which began Saturday afternoon and stretched into the early hours of Sunday, saw five candidates vying for the post vacated by Mohammed al-Halbousi in November 2023 following a court ruling. With 314 members present out of 329, none managed to secure the required 166 votes for an absolute majority.
Shaalan al-Karim emerged as the front runner with 152 votes, followed by Salim al-Eisawi with 97 and the former speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, with 48. However, according to Iraqi law, the absence of a clear winner should trigger a second round of voting among the top two candidates.
But instead of proceeding, the session descended into chaos as political blocs clashed over the next steps. According to an anonymous parliamentary source cited by Xinhua, the discord dragged on past midnight, ultimately forcing the session to be adjourned by First Deputy Speaker Mohsen al-Mandalawi.
This outcome reflects the deep divisions within Iraq’s fractious political landscape. Al-Halbousi’s removal, stemming from legal controversies, had already heightened tensions amongst different factions, and the speaker’s seat has become a focal point for power struggles.
The ongoing deadlock risks paralyzing the legislative process and further delaying crucial decisions on pressing issues affecting Iraq. With no new speaker, parliamentary proceedings and the formation of a new government could be jeopardized.
The immediate future remains uncertain. While the parliament is expected to convene again at an unspecified date, finding a candidate who can unify the divided factions and secure the necessary majority seems like a daunting task. As hopes for a swift resolution fade, Iraqis are left watching their fractured parliament, yearning for stability and progress that remain frustratingly out of reach.
(With inputs from Xinhua)
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