In an Iraq in full political paralysis, Parliament will hold its first session on Wednesday, September 28 since the deadly violence of August 29 in Baghdad and the sit-in briefly erected in its enclosure two months ago by supporters of Moqtada Sadr.
On the agenda for this session scheduled for 10:00 GMT (1:00 p.m.) is a surprise vote on “
the resignation of the Speaker of Parliament
”, the influential Mohamed al-Halboussi, a great ally of the Sadrist Current and a key player on the political spectrum.
This election is in fact akin to a vote of confidence in favor of the Sunni leader against a backdrop of political bargaining, observers believe.
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The impasse is total in Iraq, where the barons of politics have been clashing since the legislative elections of October 2021 over the name of the next Prime Minister and his method of appointment.
The last session of the National Assembly dates back to July 23.
A few days later, supporters of the influential Shiite cleric Moqtada Sadr invaded Parliament, before setting up a sit-in in its gardens that lasted a month.
Two sides clash
Tensions peaked in late August when Sadr supporters clashed with the army and men from Hashd al-Shaabi, former pro-Iran paramilitaries integrated into the regular troops, and who are politically opposed to the Sadrists.
More than thirty Sadrist partisans died in these fights.
In a succinct press release, Parliament announced the holding of a session to vote on Wednesday on the potential resignation of its president Halboussi, and the election of its first deputy.
This resignation "
aims to renew the confidence and support
" of a potential new majority coalition in Parliament, estimated on Twitter Machaan al-Jabouri, four times MP and seasoned Sunni politician.
“
Mr. Halboussi does not plan to resign, but by authorizing a possible vote of confidence, he expects his partners to give him firm support, thus ending any attempt to impeach him
,” AFP told AFP. political scientist Sajad Jiyad.
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A way of "
cementing his position as a political leader of the Sunnis and putting pressure on the Shiite and Kurdish parties to advance the formation of the government
", adds this researcher at the think-tank Century International.
Two camps clash in Iraq: Moqtada Sadr demands an immediate dissolution of Parliament and early legislative elections, after having his 73 deputies resign in June.
On the other, the Coordination Framework, an alliance of pro-Iranian Shiite factions, wants the establishment of a government before any election.
