Iraq MPs fail for third time to elect new president

Parliamentary supply says lower than two-thirds of legislators have been current in parliament, falling in need of quorum.

Wednesday's session was boycotted by a significant Shia coalition bloc in parliament [File: AFP]

Iraqi legislators have failed for a 3rd time to elect a brand new president for lack of a quorum, officers mentioned, deepening the war-scarred nation’s political disaster.

The continued failure by parliament to pick a president after final yr’s elections displays a deep schism between Shia political groupings.

“The meeting adjourned its session till additional discover,” the parliament’s press service mentioned on Wednesday with out giving a date for a brand new session.

Iraq’s federal court docket has given legislators till April 6 to decide on a brand new president.

Political scientist Hamza Haddad mentioned if that deadline have been missed, “we may attain some extent the place new elections are determined to interrupt the impasse.”

A parliamentary supply advised AFP that solely 178 out of 329 lawmakers have been current in parliament Wednesday, far in need of the two-thirds quorum required for the vote.

As within the earlier two aborted votes, final Saturday and February 7, Wednesday’s session was boycotted by a significant Shia coalition bloc in parliament.

Political paralysis

Half a yr after legislative elections, Iraq nonetheless doesn't have a brand new president or prime minister, conserving the nation in a state of political paralysis.

Parliamentarians should first elect the top of state, by conference a member of the Kurdish minority, with a two-thirds majority. The president then appoints the top of presidency, a submit now held by Mustafa al-Kadhemi.

Among the many 40 candidates for the presidency, two are thought of the frontrunners: incumbent Barham Saleh, of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and Rebar Ahmed of the rival Kurdistan Democratic Celebration (KDP).

On February 13, Iraq’s supreme court docket dominated out a presidential bid by KDP-backed veteran politician Hoshyar Zebari, after a grievance filed in opposition to him over years-old, untried corruption costs.

Iraqi politics was thrown into turmoil following October’s election, which was marred by file low turnout, post-vote threats and violence, and a months-long delay earlier than the ultimate outcomes have been confirmed.

The most important political bloc, led by Shia chief Muqtada al-Sadr, had backed Zebari for the presidency earlier than shifting its help to Ahmed.

The failed votes in parliament have underscored the gulf in Iraqi politics between al-Sadr, the final election’s large winner, and the highly effective Coordination Framework, which known as the boycotts.

The Coordination Framework consists of former prime minister Nuri al-Maliki’s occasion and the pro-Iran Fatah Alliance – the political arm of the Shia-led former paramilitary group Hashed al-Shaabi.

Alongside backing Ahmed for the presidency, al-Sadr intends to entrust the submit of prime minister to his cousin and brother-in-law Jaafar al-Sadr, Iraq’s ambassador to the UK.

That prospect is unpalatable for the Coordination Framework.