Iraqi First Deputy Speaker, From Sadr Bloc, Resigns Amid Queries
The unexpected resignation of Iraqi parliamentary first deputy speaker Qusay al-Suhail has raised questions on all sides of the Iraqi political spectrum.
On June, 24 2013, Qusay al-Suhail, first deputy speaker of the Iraqi parliament and a leading member of the al-Sadr bloc, also known as the Liberal bloc, resigned without providing any reasons. Suhail’s decision was attributed to his relationship with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, and the rage of his leader, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, over Maliki’s role in prohibiting the questioning of a minister in the State of Law Coalition.
An informed political source told Al-Monitor that "Suhail was dismissed and did not resign. He was instructed by Sadr to leave office after the exposure of his role in obstructing the questioning of Minister of Higher Education Ali al-Adeeb, a Shiite leader close to Maliki."
The source said, "Suhail is accused of favoring Maliki's State of Law coalition, and has opposed the questioning of several ministers, namely Adeeb. He also played a major role in the Central Bank of Iraq investigations.”
The source noted, "The Liberal bloc has been divided between supporters and opponents of Suhail’s approach and his way of representing the movement."
