Iraq – Yesterday, Thursday, the Iraqi Council of Representatives elected Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani as Speaker of Parliament, about a year after the position became vacant. Following the termination of the membership of its former president, Muhammad al-Halbousi, and his dismissal on the grounds of his conviction for “forgery.”
In the second round of voting, Al-Mashhadani received 182 votes out of 269 participants, ahead of his competitor, Salem Al-Issawi, who received 42 votes, while 39 votes were invalidated, according to what was monitored by Anadolu’s correspondent.
The first round ended with Al-Mashhadani obtaining 153 votes, compared to 95 for Al-Issawi, and 9 votes for the third candidate, Amer Abdul-Jabbar, with 14 ballot papers invalidated.
In the past months, the Iraqi Parliament failed five times in a row to resolve the issue, with the continued division between the political parties over support for one of the candidates for the position.
On November 14, 2023, the Federal Supreme Court issued a “final and binding” decision to terminate Al-Halbousi’s membership in the House of Representatives.
The court also took a similar decision against MP Laith Mustafa Hammoud Al-Dulaimi, who filed a lawsuit against Al-Halbousi, according to a court statement.
Al-Dulaimi, who is also a Sunni representative, accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives of “forging” the date of a resignation request in his name (Al-Dulaimi) previously submitted, with the aim of expelling him from the Legislative Council.
The presidency of the House of Representatives is the highest position held by a Sunni Muslim according to the “sectarian” political system, which was established in Iraq after the American invasion in 2003, while a Shiite Muslim holds the presidency of the government, and a Kurd holds the presidency of the republic.
For the first time, Al-Halbousi assumed the presidency of Parliament in 2018, and he was serving his second term when the Federal Court’s decision was issued.
The First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, took over the management of the Legislative Council until October 31 of this year.
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**Interview with Dr. Layla Hamadi, Political Analyst and Middle East Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Hamadi. We recently saw the Iraqi parliament elect Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as the new speaker, ending a yearlong deadlock. What do you make of this recent development?
**Dr. Hamadi:** Thank you for having me. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani’s election is indeed a significant milestone for Iraq’s parliament, which has faced considerable instability over the past year. His election reflects an effort to restore some semblance of normalcy and functionality in Iraqi governance.
**Interviewer:** Al-Mashhadani has been described as a prominent Sunni lawmaker and has close ties with Iran. How might his leadership impact Iraq’s political landscape?
**Dr. Hamadi:** His relationship with Iran could influence Iraq’s foreign policy, particularly in balancing the sectarian dynamics that have long characterized Iraqi politics. With a Shiite-majority government, having a Sunni speaker who is perceived as aligned with Tehran might raise eyebrows among various political factions and could lead to tensions.
**Interviewer:** The voting process revealed a significant division within parliament. Al-Mashhadani received 182 votes, while his opponent secured only 42. What does this reveal about the current state of political alliances in Iraq?
**Dr. Hamadi:** The voting numbers indicate a fractured parliament with significant divisions among lawmakers. Al-Mashhadani’s support suggests that he has managed to garner backing from key factions, possibly by positioning himself as a unifying figure for some Sunnis while navigating relationships with Shiite groups. However, the low turnout for his main rival, Salem Al-Issawi, shows that dissenting voices remain, signaling ongoing challenges in creating a cohesive governing body.
**Interviewer:** Following the dismissal of the former speaker due to “forgery,” what are the implications for the legitimacy of the current leadership?
**Dr. Hamadi:** The context of al-Halbousi’s removal casts a shadow over the legitimacy of the current leadership. However, if al-Mashhadani can swiftly address legislative priorities and gain the trust of the public and his fellow lawmakers, he may overcome this hurdle. Transparency and accountability will be critical for his term moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what do you foresee as the next steps for al-Mashhadani and the Iraqi parliament moving into the future?
**Dr. Hamadi:** I believe al-Mashhadani will prioritize fostering greater cooperation among the fractured political factions to advance key issues, such as security, economic reform, and public service delivery. If he can effectively manage these challenges, it may pave the way for a more stable and functional government in Iraq. However, it will require astute political maneuvering and a commitment to addressing the diverse needs of all Iraqi citizens.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Hamadi, for your insights on this important development in Iraq’s political landscape.
**Dr. Hamadi:** Thank you for having me. It’s a crucial time for Iraq, and I hope to see positive changes unfold.
