BAGHDAD, Iraq — Nearly a year after the Iraqi Supreme Court removed Mohammed al-Halbousi as parliamentary speaker on November 14, 2023, Iraq’s House of Representatives remains without a speaker. Sunni factions, split by internal rivalries, are locked in a struggle to fill the role, while Shiite parties push for a candidate who aligns with their broader political and ideological goals.
This prolonged deadlock has once again been added to the parliamentary agenda, as lawmakers face an 11-day deadline to select a new speaker before the current legislative session concludes. Saud Saadi, leader of the Huquq Bloc, acknowledged the political impasse saying that “this issue stems from political disagreements among involved parties. While the position has remained vacant for almost a year, talks continue to designate a suitable candidate.”
Disputes among Sunni factions over eligible candidates have complicated the process. Without a unified Sunni front, selecting a new speaker has proven elusive, leaving Iraq’s legislative branch leaderless for an extended period.
Efforts to resolve the stalemate are intensifying. Iraqi Parliament coordinator Gharib Askar hinted at potential progress, stating that the selection process might move forward this week. “All signs point toward progress in the coming days,” Askar said, expressing optimism that Sunni leaders might rally behind a single candidate. He added that the Shiite Coordination Framework is prepared to support a candidate representing “all of Iraq.”
The initial vacancy was triggered when the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court revoked Halbousi’s membership and ended his term as speaker, citing allegations of forgery. Halbousi denounced the ruling as “unconstitutional,” further fueling tensions among Iraq’s political factions.
Reporting by Akam Fahmi, Zoom News reporter in Baghdad.