Baghdad, Iraq- Iraq’s Parliament Speaker, Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani, has called on political forces to convene under the framework of the State Administration Coalition. The purpose of the meeting is to address the country’s challenges, unify the national vision, and resolve ongoing political disagreements. Al-Mashhadani emphasized the urgency of such a meeting, stressing that it is essential to deal with the political scene’s consequences in light of national responsibility.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani also echoed this call, inviting members of the State Administration Coalition to gather at the government palace on Saturday, February 8. The meeting will focus on discussing the broader situation in Iraq and addressing key national-level issues.
This urgent meeting has been prompted by recent political tensions, particularly the Federal Court’s decision to suspend the implementation of three controversial laws. These laws, relating to general amnesty, personal status amendments, and the restitution of properties in Kirkuk, have sparked significant debate and unrest. Sunni political forces, particularly in the provinces of Al-Anbar, Nineveh, and Saladin, have responded with protests, suspending official work in these regions and threatening further escalation, including potential withdrawals from parliament and government.
Meanwhile, the Coordination Framework, which includes Shiite parties, has expressed full support for the Federal Court’s ruling, asserting its constitutional right to oversee the legislation process. The controversy stems from the legal challenge posed by several lawmakers who questioned the legitimacy of the parliamentary vote on these laws. The final ruling on the matter is expected in the coming weeks.
Today, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council also issued a fatwa, stating that laws passed by parliament cannot be suspended before their official publication in the gazette. It further clarified that the court’s ruling regarding the amendment of the personal status law and property restitution should be postponed, while courts are required to implement the General Amnesty Law.
The State Administration Coalition, formed in 2022 to break the political deadlock after the October 2021 elections, consists of Shiite, Sunni, and Kurdish parties, including the Coordination Framework, Taqaddum, Al-Siyada, the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. As the primary governing coalition, it plays a crucial role in navigating Iraq’s complex political landscape.
