News|PoliticsNew Iraqi parliament holds first session, elects speakerHaybat al-Halbousi, from the Taqaddum (Progress) Party, has been elected as speaker of the new parliament.
Iraq's newly elected parliament has appointed Haybat al-Halbousi as its speaker, marking a significant step in forming the new government following prolonged political instability.
Iraq's newly elected parliament has appointed Haybat al-Halbousi as its speaker, marking a significant step in forming the new government following prolonged political instability.
According to reports from the parliamentary media office, al-Halbousi, representing the Taqaddum (Progress) Party, secured 208 votes, surpassing two rival candidates who received 66 and nine votes, respectively.
Al-Halbousi’s party predominantly garners support from Sunni regions in the west and north of Iraq.
The first session of the Council of Representatives of Iraq was highly anticipated as it aims to provide clarity on the nation's leadership after the November 11 election, which resulted in a complex scenario for forming a new government.
Under Iraq's customary muhasasa system, established under the post-2003 constitution, the parliament elects a speaker, who is a consensus Sunni candidate, along with two deputies in its inaugural session. Subsequently, a Kurdish candidate is elected as president, who then nominates the prime minister candidate from the largest Shia bloc, the Shia Coordination Framework (SCF).
Iraq's newly elected parliament has appointed Haybat al-Halbousi as its speaker, marking a significant step in forming the new government following prolonged political instability.
Prior to the election, Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan emphasized adherence to the constitutional timeline for government formation, which is a maximum of 90 days. The Federal Supreme Court (FSC) expedited the ratification of the results.
The formation process is not expected to be swift, as it often extends over several months. In 2021, it took more than 300 days. There is ongoing deliberation within the SCF regarding the selection of a prime minister candidate.
Incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, initially nominated by the SCF four years ago, attempted to distance himself from the alliance by running as an independent under the Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC), which secured approximately 46 out of 329 seats.
However, a recent FSC decision has re-aligned him with the SCF and its leadership, many of whom operate as influential figures outside the parliamentary framework.
The SCF is now evaluating whether to support al-Sudani or an alternative candidate while addressing the increased parliamentary presence of lawmakers associated with Shia factions that have pro-Iran, anti-West armed wings.
Of the approximately 180 SCF lawmakers, 80 to 90 are affiliated with groups and armed factions closely linked to Iran, most of which are under United States sanctions. In 2021, these groups held only 17 seats.
Their burgeoning influence in parliament poses potential challenges for Iraq's foreign relations and for Iraqi Shias who oppose Tehran's significant influence within the country.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
