No immunity for the corrupt: Iraqi parliament speaker

“What is happening is a crime against the people and the nation. At this moment, we are borrowing from the Central Bank reserves to pay salaries, and now billions are being uncovered. This is a crime against the people,” said the parliament speaker.

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Iranian parliament hosts foreign minister, army chief amid US talks

Iran and the US held indirect nuclear talks in Muscat on Friday, marking the first time the two sides have sat down for negotiations since June of last year.

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Syria's election campaigns end ahead of Sunday vote

The parliamentary elections are set to be held on Sunday, marking Syria’s first parliamentary election following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

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Iraq’s 2025 elections: A chance for the opposition

As we approach new parliamentary elections in a few months, the question arises again: Is there a chance for a new political current to break into the scene? Have the rules of the game that shaped the 2021 elections changed?

Ahmed Saadawi

Opinion

Iraqi parliament committee submits ‘Right of Access to Information’ bill for vote

Previous drafts of the bill have been heavily criticized by journalists, activists, and human rights organizations, over concerns that it would curtail freedom of expression

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Iraq’s fifth parliamentary cycle faces rocky path and threats of early dissolution

Iraq’s fifth parliamentary cycle, marked by political turmoil and stalled legislation, faces growing demands for early dissolution. Lawmakers plan to gather signatures after the legislative recess ends in January 2025, citing the body’s inability to resolve key issues.

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Iraq’s top bloc calls for parliament session to vote on speaker

The Iraqi parliament’s largest bloc has called for ending the nearly year-long deadlock over the post of speaker of parliament and urged the lawmakers to hold a session to settle the issue on Saturday.

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How Iran-backed Khazali dominated the status quo in Iraq’s disputed areas

The process in which the local governments in Kirkuk and Diyala were elected was masterminded by no other than Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s Qais al-Khazali, who brought together several parties in return for adopting his influence that could eventually lead to yet another contentious deal in electing parliamentary speaker, sources told The New Region.

Features

Sunni parties meet; some recommend new candidates, others back old one

Ten months since Iraq’s parliamentary speaker position was left vacant, the country’s Sunni forces have failed to agree on a mutual candidate to replace the previously uncontested Mohammed al-Halbousi.

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