Iraqi parliament elects Sunni lawmaker al-Mashhadani as speaker, breaking deadlock

Iraq’s parliament elected on Thursday Sunni lawmaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its speaker, lawmakers said, breaking a nearly year-long deadlock over the position that had remained vacant due to protracted disagreements among political factions.

The stalemate followed a decision by the Federal Supreme Court last November which upended the career of former speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, Iraq’s most powerful Sunni Muslim politician and set the stage for a fight over succession.

Mashhadani, who previously served as parliament speaker from 2006 to 2008, was elected to the post again with significant support from the coalition that includes influential Shia parties and Iran-aligned groups along with the State of Law coalition, which is led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The role of speaker is pivotal in maintaining legislative order and facilitating dialogue between diverse factions. The position also involves mediating conflicts and fostering consensus among lawmakers, which is crucial in Iraq’s often fragmented political landscape.

Under a power-sharing system designed to avoid sectarian conflict, Iraq’s president is a Kurd, its prime minister a Shia and its parliament speaker a Sunni.