Iraq is still without a parliament speaker nearly five months after the removal of Mohammed al-Halbusi. Recent court cases are complicating efforts to choose a new speaker, and the lack of a successor has left a leadership void that is affecting the country’s sectarian power-sharing arrangement.
The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court ended Halbusi's term in November. The decision related to a case against Halbusi by another Sunni member of parliament, Laith al-Dulaimi. Early last year, Dulaimi accused Halbusi of forging his signature on a resignation letter. Both men were formally removed from the legislative body by the court in the November ruling.
Parliamentary deadlock
The Iraqi parliament held a vote on electing a new speaker in January. Shaalan al-Karim, who is supported by Halbusi, received 152 votes, while Salim al-Eisawi, the candidate backed by Sunni business mogul Khamis Khanjar, received 97 votes, and former speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani received 48 votes. All failed to receive a majority of support from the 329-member parliament, meaning at least 165 votes.
