Iraqi parliament elects Sunni lawmaker as its speaker

1/11/2024 6:04

        Iraq's parliament elected on
        Thursday Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its speaker,
        lawmakers said, breaking a nearly year-long deadlock over the
        position that had remained vacant due to protracted
        disagreements among political factions.
        
        The stalemate followed a decision by the Federal Supreme
        Court last November which upended the career of former speaker
        Mohammed al-Halbousi, Iraq's most powerful Sunni Muslim
        politician and set the stage for a fight over succession.
        
        Mashhadani, who previously served as parliament speaker from
        2006 to 2008, was elected to the post again with significant
        support from the coalition that includes influential Shi'ite
        parties and Iran-aligned groups along with the State of Law
        coalition, which is led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.
        
        The role of speaker is pivotal in maintaining legislative
        order and facilitating dialogue between diverse factions. The
        position also involves mediating conflicts and fostering
        consensus among lawmakers, which is crucial in Iraq’s often
        fragmented political landscape.
        
        Under a power-sharing system designed to avoid sectarian
        conflict, Iraq's president is a Kurd, its prime minister a
        Shi'ite and its parliament speaker a Sunni.