The leader of the Takadum Movement, Mohammed al-Halbousi, has asked for 25 senior positions in Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s cabinet, three of them ministers, in exchange for withdrawing his candidate for the post of speaker of the Iraqi House of Representatives against the Azem Alliance’s candidate.
Iraqi parliamentarian Moein Kazemi said disputes continue between the Sunni parties over the post of parliament speaker. Both the Siyada Coalition and Azem want to take the post but Halbousi’s party will not step down.
On January 13, the Iraqi House of Representatives held a session to elect the parliament speaker and Shaalan al-Karim, Salim al-Issawi, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Amer Abdul Jabbar, and Talal Zubai nominated themselves for the position of parliament speaker.
Mashhadani and Zubai were excluded from the first round of voting while Karim, the Taqadum Movement’s candidate, and Issawi, the Siyada Coalition’s candidate remained. However, the second round of elections was not held due to the chaotic situation in the House of Representatives.
The Iraqi Federal Supreme Court removed Halbousi from his position as parliament speaker on November 14 following a complaint filed by MPs Laith al-Dulaimi and Bassem Khashan.
His position has not been filled despite three sessions of the House of Representatives.
