Iraq elects Sunni lawmaker Al-Mashhadani as new parliament speaker

Iraq’s parliament elected veteran lawmaker Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani as speaker on Thursday, returning the position to a Sunni Arab after a year of Shia leadership. Al-Mashhadani, who previously held the role between 2006 and 2008, won with 182 votes, defeating Salem Al-Issawi of the Azm Front, who received 42 votes. Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani congratulated Al-Mashhadani, emphasising parliament’s “oversight role”.

Following his victory, Al-Mashhadani took to social media, pledging to serve with integrity and uphold parliamentary regulations. He acknowledged the challenges ahead, as Iraq faces both upcoming elections and an array of important legislative tasks.

رئيس مجلس الوزراء محمد شياع السوداني يلتقي رئيس مجلس النواب محمود المشهداني

◼ رئيس الوزراء يؤكد أهمية التعاون بين السلطتين التنفيذية والتشريعية والتكامل في عملهما من أجل إكمال متطلبات البرنامج الحكومي pic.twitter.com/DeOZYzi7sH

— شبكة الإعلام العراقي (@iraqmedianet) November 3, 2024

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Al-Mashhadani also took the opportunity to reaffirm Baghdad’s support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people, beyond “speeches and slogans.” He pledged to actively work with Arab and international parliaments to push for a binding international resolution to bring about a ceasefire.

The election comes amid shifting dynamics in Sunni politics, with new cross-sectarian alliances potentially forming, observes Amwaj Mediaj. President Abdul Rashid Latif praised the “finalisation of allocations” under the country’s ethno-sectarian quota system.

Just days before the election, Khamis Al-Khanjar, leader of the Sovereignty Alliance, resigned after being summoned by Iraq’s Supreme National Commission for Accountability and Justice regarding alleged ties to the banned Ba’ath Party.

Former speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi accused Khanjar of potential ties to terrorism and the Muslim Brotherhood, while Aisha Al-Masary, a former member of the Sovereignty Alliance, criticised it as “weakening the Sunni voice.”

The election follows a turbulent year for Iraqi politics, which included the ousting of Al-Halbousi as speaker following his conviction for forgery. In May his Taqadum Party backed Al-Mashhadani for the new role, with party member Mohammad Al-Alawi saying he was “greatly supported by the Coordination Framework forces and other Kurdish and even Sunni political parties from outside Taqadum.”

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