ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Muhsin al-Mandalawi, Iraq’s acting parliament speaker, called on lawmakers and blocs to set aside political differences and attend Thursday’s session in large numbers and vote on a new speaker.

Intra-Sunni disagreements, exacerbated by interference from the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework, have hindered the selection of a new Iraqi parliament speaker for nearly a year.

The legislature is set to hold a session to vote on a new speaker on Thursday.

Mandalawi, a Shiite Feyli Kurd who has been filling the position as acting speaker since Mohammed al-Halbousi’s ousting in November 2023, emphasized the need to settle the speakership during Thursday’s session “considering it is the right of a partner and essential component in the political process.”

“Representatives of all components are required to be present in the Council Hall to cast their votes to decide on the selection of a president for the legislative authority,” read a statement from Mandalawi’s office, stressing the need to “keep political disputes and differences away from this important file.”

The acting speaker called on political parties to work with the principle of caution and responsibility “to complete the constitutional entitlements that have been delayed for a long time.”

A sectarian power-sharing arrangement has governed Iraqi politics since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, under which the post of prime minister is reserved for the Shiite component, the presidency is allocated for the Kurds, and the Sunnis get the speaker of parliament.

MPs from different components have in recent days expressed doubt that the highly-coveted position will be decided on Thursday, as the parties have yet to reach an agreement on a unanimous pick.

A coalition comprised of 55 lawmakers has been formed in recent months to oppose the appointment of veteran politician Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who has been backed by the Coordination Framework for the position. The group has endorsed MP Salem al-Issawi for the post instead.

Other Sunni parties have stated that their vote for Mashhadani is contingent on Issawi’s withdrawal, planning to boycott the session if he does not back down from the race.

If the legislature fails to appoint a new speaker on Thursday, the process will most likely be delayed for another two months as the parliament will enter a legislative recess in early November.