The Iraqi parliament, which has been the focus of a protracted political impasse, will meet on Wednesday for the first time since fatal riots in August and a sit-in protest by Muqtada al-followers. Sadr’s
The nomination of a first deputy speaker and voting on Mohammed al-resignation Halbussi’s as speaker of the parliament will be the main items on the agenda, according to a brief statement from Parliament on Monday.
Analysts interpret the action as a vote of confidence in Halbussi.
His coalition allies are expected to support him forcefully, Sajad Jiyad, a fellow at the Century International research group, told AFP.
To “put a stop to any further attempts to topple him,” he stated as the goal.
Jiyad continued, “This would strengthen his position as the political figurehead of Iraq’s Sunnis and put pressure on” Kurdish and Shia parties to form a government.
Since contested elections in October of last year, Iraq’s bitterly divided political factions have been unable to create a new government, and the most recent session of parliament was on July 23.
Al-followers Sadr’s stormed the assembly later in July and held a month-long sit-in there.
On August 29, conflicts between the Sadrists, opposing Iranian-backed forces, and the army broke out, resulting in the deaths of over 30 protesters.
The conflict, which has left Iraq’s majority Shia camp without a functioning government, prime minister, or president since the elections over a year ago, was sparked by months of conflicts between al-Sadr and his challengers.
Al-Sadr is at odds with the Coordination Framework, which is supported by Iran and includes legislators from the party of his longstanding rival and former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki.
Al-Sadr wants to dissolve the legislature and hold early elections, while the opposing Shia group wants to name a new leader of the government first.
With 73 seats, Al-coalition Sadr’s entered the legislature as the largest after the 2021 elections, although it fell far short of a majority.
