Iraqi Parliament ends almost a year of political impasse by electing speaker

Session was held amid deep political rifts among Sunni parties

Parliament ended the membership of Mohammed Al Halbousi, the former speaker, in November last year. AFP

Iraq’s parliament on Thursday elected senior Sunni politician Mahmoud Al Mashhadani as its new Speaker, nearly one year after the dismissal of Mohammed Al Halbousi.

After the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, Mr Al Mashhadani, 76, a former physician, emerged as one of the most prominent Sunni politicians. In 2004, he was a founding member of the National Dialogue Council, an umbrella group for Sunni parties.

The Islamist legislator took part in drafting Iraq’s constitution. He served as the country’s first speaker after the adoption of the constitution in 2005, starting from 2006 until his resignation in December 2008 amid widespread complaints about perceived erratic behaviour.

Mr Al Halbousi’s removal in November last year created an impasse and divisions among Sunni political factions over the choice of candidates for the post, as well as between the Shiite political factions as they sought to support candidates who would be close to them.

Then, the parliament terminated the membership of Mr Al Halbousi after a ruling by the country’s top court. He was accused by another Sunni politician of forging his signature and date on a resignation letter, prompting a rule by the Federal Supreme Court to remove him.

Under the country's power-sharing system, set up in 2003 to avoid more sectarian conflict after Saddam's regime was toppled in 2003, the post of speaker is held by a Sunni Arab, the President is Kurdish and the Prime Minister a Shiite Arab. But disputes between ethnic blocs often delay appointments to these posts.

Thursday's session was the third attempt to elect a new speaker after two failed sessions in January and May. In the first round of voting, none of the four candidates won the needed 166 votes, while in the second round, Mr Al Mashhadani received 182 votes, winning over Salem Al Issawi, acting speaker Muhsin Al Mandalawi announced.

Mr Al Mashhadani was supported by Mr Al Halbousi and the Shiite political factions, while Mr Al Issawi was backed by some Sunni political parties.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani congratulated Mr Al Mashhadani on his role and the Council of Representatives “for finalising this important constitutional milestone”.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to delivering its service-orientated and developmental programme with the legislation and oversight of the Council of Representatives, Mr Al Sudani said.

He said the government renews its legal and constitutional commitment to supporting the oversight role of the Council of Representatives, which complements the government’s work and reinforces its priorities in battling corruption and implementing reforms.