Members of Iraqi parliament’s largest party resign en masse
2022-06-13 08:49:31Source: Xinhua News Agency
Xinhua News Agency, Baghdad, June 12 (Reporter Fan Shuai Shuai Dong Yalei) Iraqi National Assembly Speaker Mohammad Habushi said on social media on the 12th that he accepted the collective resignation of members of the “Sadr Movement”, the largest party in the parliament.
A video broadcast by Iraqi media on the 12th showed Habushi signing the collective resignation of the “Sadr Movement” lawmakers.
Earlier in the day, Iraqi Shiite religious leader al-Sadr issued a statement calling for the resignation of lawmakers from the “Sadr movement” he led to deal with the current political impasse over the delay in forming a new government. The statement said that this move is for the sacrifice of the country and the people, to free the country from its unknown destiny.
Sadr has previously stated publicly that unless a majority government is formed, the “Sadr movement” may withdraw from the political process entirely.
In October last year, Iraq held a new National Assembly election. Out of a total of 329 seats, the “Sadr Movement” won 73 seats, becoming the largest party in the parliament. On January 9 this year, the new Iraqi National Assembly held its first session. The Iraqi constitution stipulates that the parliament should elect a new president within 30 days of its first session. The new president then appoints a person from the largest party in parliament to elect a new prime minister and nominate a cabinet candidate within 30 days. Since February 7th, the presidential election has been postponed several times due to reasons such as the number of members present at the meeting not reaching a quorum.