DUBAI, UAE - Political sources have revealed ongoing negotiations and rising tensions in the lead-up to a highly anticipated session of the Iraqi parliament scheduled on Thursday, where members are set to elect a new speaker, after months of wrangling. 

 

A source told The New Region that the Taqaddum Party, led by former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, and its allies, who hold a bloc of 55 seats, are resisting participation in the session unless candidate Salem al-Issawi formally withdraws. 

 

Party members reportedly fear that Issawi could still garner enough votes for a surprise victory, despite public endorsements favoring candidate veteran politician Mahmoud al-Mashhadani.

 

“Salem al-Issawi has refused to withdraw despite significant political pressure and mediation efforts,” the source said.

 

In a move to reassure Taqaddum, the Siyada and Azm alliances have also thrown their support behind Mashhadani. However, Taqaddum’s leaders remain cautious, and discussions are underway to persuade the party’s members to attend the session.

 

The upcoming session follows a year of uncertainty after Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court removed Halbousi from the Speaker’s position on charges of fraud.

 

Today’s election is widely seen as a crucial step in resolving the political impasse that has left the parliament without a permanent speaker.

 

Parliamentarians report a tense atmosphere ahead of the Speaker election, with deep divisions and fears of disruptions. 

 

Suzan Mansour, a PUK MP, criticized recent session disruptions as deliberate tactics to create division, opposing the grouping of the general amnesty law with the real estate restitution law as unjust.

 

Mansour confirmed that the PUK has yet to decide on backing Halbousi, asserting that MPs must continue with today’s session, even amid chaos.

 

Parliamentarian Alaa al-Haidari expressed doubts about reaching consensus, noting mixed support among blocs for candidates al-Mashhadani and al-Issawi.

 

He suggested that the Speaker outcome depends on MP votes rather than an absolute majority, predicting that the position would likely go to either Issawi or remain with Acting Speaker Mohsen Mandalawi. 

 

Meanwhile, Azam al-Hamdani of the Azm Alliance warned that some within the Coordination Framework aim to keep the Sunni bloc divided but affirmed ongoing efforts with Kurdish groups to support al-Mashhadani’s candidacy.

 

As parliament braces for the “battle of the Speaker,” analysts say the outcome will significantly impact Iraq’s political landscape.

 

Since November 2023, Iraq's parliament has operated under Acting Speaker Mandalawi after former Speaker Halbousi was removed by court order. Over the past year, Mashhadani has vied for the Speaker role against five candidates but has yet to secure the required majority, despite backing from the Shiite Coordination Framework. 

 

Mashhadani faced significant competition, including a close contest with Salem al-Issawi in May, which ended in a deadlock after altercations disrupted the session. These ongoing disputes, alongside internal conflicts within Sunni and Shiite factions, have complicated efforts to elect a permanent Speaker and led to calls for procedural changes to address the impasse.