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Middle East

Iraq Elects New Speaker After Yearlong Deadlock

Iraq Elects New Speaker After Yearlong Deadlock
Credit: Al Jazeera

Iraq (Washington Insider Magazine) – Mahmoud al-Mashhadani secures the speaker’s position, marking a significant political shift in Iraq’s governance.

Iraq’s parliament has elected Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its new speaker, ending nearly a year of political deadlock following the unexpected termination of Mohammed al-Halbousi’s tenure in 2023. Al-Mashhadani, a prominent Sunni lawmaker with a history of close ties to Iran, received 182 votes from the 269 legislators present during the session. Iraq’s parliament, which has a total of 329 seats, had been divided for nearly 12 months over who should fill the influential role of speaker.

Al-Mashhadani’s election marks a return to the speaker position, a role he previously held from 2006 to 2009. His selection comes with significant support from Shia political blocs and Iran-aligned groups, as well as from the State of Law coalition led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Under Iraq’s sectarian power-sharing system, the position of parliament speaker is always held by a Sunni, while the prime minister is Shia and the president is Kurdish. This system has long shaped Iraq’s political landscape.

Al-Mashhadani now faces numerous challenges as he navigates Iraq’s fragmented political environment. He will need to address long-standing issues such as corruption, internal divisions, and a controversial proposed amendment to Iraq’s personal status law, which critics claim could legalize child marriage. His leadership is also critical as Iraq seeks to manage the effects of Israel’s ongoing wars in Gaza and Lebanon while balancing its delicate relationship with both Iran and the United States.

The election comes at a time when Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, such as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have intensified attacks on U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria. These attacks are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel, further complicating Iraq’s political and security situation. Despite the rising tensions, Iraq’s government is striving to avoid alienating the U.S., which continues to provide economic and military support, particularly in the fight against ISIL (ISIS).

Al-Mashhadani’s election is seen as a pivotal moment in Iraq’s ongoing political evolution, but whether his leadership will bring stability to the country remains uncertain as political fragmentation continues to shape the nation’s future.

 

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