Iraq gets new parliament speaker after yearlong deadlock

 

FILE – Iraqi Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani speaks during a news conference in Baghdad Aug. 23, 2014.

After nearly a year’s deadlock, Iraq’s parliament elected a new speaker Thursday.

Prominent Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who served as parliament’s speaker from 2006 to 2009, was elected by 182 of the 269 politicians in attendance.

Iraq’s parliament has been without a speaker since last November, following a ruling of the Federal Supreme Court in a case that involved then-speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, the country’s most powerful Sunni politician, and fellow lawmaker Laith al-Dulaimi, also Sunni.

In the lawsuit, Dulaimi claimed Halbousi forged Dulaimi’s signature on a resignation letter, according to an Associated Press report. Halbousi denied the claim. Iraq’s top court’s ruling in the case dismissed both lawmakers from parliament but did not give a reason for the verdict.

Iraq’s political landscape operates under a delicate power-sharing system, created to avoid factional conflict. Under the arrangement, the country’s president is always a Kurd, the prime minister is Shite and parliament’s speaker is Sunni. Mashhadani’s selection as speaker was made possible by a Sunni and Shite bloc, according to reports.

Under such a fragmented system, the speaker plays a critical role. The speaker is expected to ensure that politicians adhere to proper legislative order. In addition, the speaker is also tasked with resolving conflicts and building consensus among the lawmakers.

Mashhadani assumes the speaker position at a critical and fractious time, as the Middle East has erupted in wars and Iraq is seeking to maintain its relationships with several countries, including former adversaries Iran and the U.S.

Some information provided by Reuters and The Associated Press.

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