Iraqi parliament reconvenes after suspension of activities

The Iraqi parliament reconvened on Sunday having suspended its sittings for four weeks over a political dispute, Anadolu Agency has reported. Speaker Salim Al-Jubouri announced that a full quorum was achieved with 167 deputies present.

“The Iraqi people expect our parliament to find a clear formula to pass the country through this dangerous economic crisis, and to seize the opportunity of international support to overcome the acute financial crisis to secure the citizens’ salaries,” said Al-Jubouri during the opening of the 28th session. It was reported that Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi attended the session amid speculation that he would present the rest of his list of candidates for cabinet places.

The Liberal bloc of the Sadrist movement ended its boycott of the parliament after reaching an agreement to include on the agenda a vote on Abadi’s cabinet. The political crisis in Iraq deteriorated two months ago after Abadi said that he would form a government of independent technocrats to contain widespread corruption and poor services.