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Already grappling with deep political instability, Iraq is currently experiencing a new crisis within its parliament. On Tuesday, the influential Speaker of Parliament, Mohammed al-Halbousi, was removed from his position by the country’s Supreme Court. This decision triggered the resignation of three ministers from his party.
The Supreme Court’s decision follows a complaint filed by a deputy for “falsifying” a document. Laith al-Dulaimi, who instigated the complaint, is accusing the Speaker of Parliament of emitting an undated resignation letter to eject him from the Assembly. Initially, Laith al-Dulaimi served as an MP, representing al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum party.
“The Federal Supreme Court has terminated the term of the Speaker of Parliament,” announced the institution in a statement released on its website on Tuesday. It further clarified that the court has also concluded the term of MP Laith al-Dulaimi, who filed the complaint. The court’s decision is final and not subject to appeal.
“Strange Verdict”
The former governor of the al-Anbar governorate, Mohammed al-Halbousi, is presently the most prominent Sunni figure in the country. He first became the Speaker of Parliament in 2018 with the support of the pro-Iranian bloc. The Iraqi Parliament is currently dominated by a coalition of pro-Iranian Shiite parties, but ever since the fall of Saddam Hussein, the position of Speaker of Parliament belongs to the Sunni community.
“Sadly, some are trying to destabilize the country,” decried al-Halbousi on Tuesday during a parliamentary session, reacting to what he described as a “strange verdict.”
“We are puzzled by the implementation of such decisions, and we are dismayed by the lack of respect for the Constitution,” he added, according to a video shared by the Parliament’s communication services. He pledged to take the necessary steps “to safeguard constitutional rights.” Pending the election of a new president, the interim role is expected to be filled by the vice president of the Parliament. In a statement, the Taqaddum party denounced “a blatant violation of the Constitution” and “political targeting.” The ministers of culture, planning, and industry, who are affiliated with the same party, announced their resignation. Moreover, the party’s MPs hinted at a potential boycott of parliamentary sessions.
Tensions with the Pro-Iranian Bloc
Re-elected for a second term in 2022, Mohammed al-Halbousi aimed to unite the Sunnis, bringing together around thirty deputies within the Taqaddum party. He tried to form a government with opponents of the pro-Iranian coalition that had initially brought him to power in 2018, only to backtrack thereafter.
For several months, tensions have consistently arisen between al-Halbousi and major pro-Iranian parties, while dissenting voices among Sunni MPs have surfaced, further weakening his bloc.
Having garnered considerable influence, Mohammed al-Halbousi emerged as a potential threat to the ruling coalition. In Iraq, many voices have condemned this verdict as “a political decision” driven by the influence of pro-Iranian forces.
