Since the parliamentary election in October 2021, there has been a political crisis in Iraq, with members of the Council of Representatives of Iraq being able to form a stable coalition government, or elect a new President.[1] For 8 months the national political system has been in a political deadlock.[2]
Events
Violent clashes in Baghdad following the election and the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi began the crisis.[3] On 18 November Muqtada al-Sadr said he would like to form a majority government.[4]
On January 9, the newly elected parliament met for the first time in the Green Zone to elect the parliament speaker and two deputies. After a chaotic first parliamentary session which resulted in senior interim parliament speaker Mahmoud al-Mashahadani falling ill and being taken to hospital.[5] However, after that Sunni lawmaker and current parliament speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi was re-elected for a second term,[6] with Shakhawan Abdulla, from the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Hakim al-Zamili, from the Sadrist Movement.[7] The Kurdistan Democratic Party, Sadrist Movement and Progress Party (Iraq) succeeded in fulfilling all three positions due to the candidates of each bloc voting for each other.[7] This resulted in the Shiite Pro-Iran factions in parliament disregard the outcome and claim they have 88 seats,[8] and more than the Sadrist Movement. Parliament was then temporarily suspended but later was able to resume again after a review by the Iraqi Supreme Court.[9]
According to the Constitution of Iraq a president must be selected before 30 days after the election of the parliament speaker.[10] Incumbent President Barham Salih was chosen by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan to run for a potential second term as president, while the Kurdistan Democratic Party selected former foreign minister Hoshyar Zebari to run for the post, a second attempt for the presidency for the Kurdistan Democratic Party.[10]
As of May 2022, no government has been formed and no president has been appointed by parliament.[11] On 13 June 2022, 73 MPs from Muqtada al-Sadr’s bloc resigned from parliament.[12][13] On June 23, the Council of Representatives swore in 73 new members in their place.[14]
References
- ^ "Iraqi PM stresses inciting violence and chaos unacceptable". Iraqi News. 2022-06-14. Retrieved 2022-06-16.
- ^ "Iraqi MPs from Muqtada al-Sadr's bloc resign". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
- ^ "Iraq ministry: Scores injured in rally over election results". WTOP News. 5 November 2021.
- ^ Staff writer (18 November 2021). "Sadr calls for majority government, 'liquidation' of Iraqi militias". Al-Monitor. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
- ^ Staff writer (9 January 2022). "Iraq parliament holds first session, elects speaker". devdiscourse.com. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ "Halbousi re-elected speaker of parliament during chaotic first session". Rudaw. 9 January 2022. Retrieved 9 January 2022.
- ^ a b "KDP puts forth candidate for deputy parliament speaker". Rudaw. 10 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ "Shiite factions disregard outcome of Iraqi parliament's first session". Rudaw. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
- ^ "Iraq's top court to review cases against first parliamentary session on Wednesday". 16 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Battle opens for presidency in Iraq". 2 February 2022.
- ^ Iraq fails to form government seven months after elections, retrieved 2022-05-29
- ^ "Iraqi leaders vow to move ahead after dozens quit parliament". The Independent. 2022-06-13. Retrieved 2022-06-13.
- ^ "War-scarred Iraq sinks deeper into political crisis". Agence France-Presse. 14 June 2022.
- ^ https://www.voanews.com/a/iraq-parliament-swears-in-new-members-after-walkout-of-73-/6629751.html.
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