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Iraq may soon be without a government, as clock runs out

Baghdad is facing a political predicament, as too much has to be accomplished before parliament's term ends June 30.
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who's bloc came first, looks at Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who's political bloc came third in a May parliamentary election, during a news conference in Najaf, Iraq June 23, 2018. REUTERS/Alaa al-Marjani - RC1D0E2C2810
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The term of Iraq's current parliament ends June 30, but a mandated manual recount of votes cast in the May 12 election hasn't even begun, and disputes are deepening among some political blocs. This could create a constitutional vacuum, which would worsen an already-bad situation.

Parliament was slated to meet June 27 to vote on a bill to extend its term until the Federal Supreme Court confirms the election results. The court, however, was proactive and issued a decision June 26 rejecting an extension, citing the constitutional mandate that parliament serves four calendar years. The current parliament first convened July 1, 2014.

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