Iraq's New Parliament Speaker: Dedicated to bridging political divides, committed to Palestine and Lebanon
Shafaq News/ In a pivotal shift within Iraq'spolitical landscape, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani has been elected as Speaker ofParliament, a move that followed months of intense negotiations and strategicalliances.
Backed by prominent Shiite and Kurdish factions,al-Mashhadani has pledged to bridge internal divides, strengthen legislativeoversight, and advocate for regional stability.
Iraqi Parliament Moves to Elect New Speaker
Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court, the country’shighest judicial authority, officially terminated the parliamentary membershipof Mohammed al-Halbousi, a prominent Sunni politician and former speaker of theIraqi Parliament, in mid-November 2023. The ruling, based on a lawsuit alleging“fraud” filed by a fellow lawmaker, marked the end of al-Halbousi's tenure.
Following the decision, Iraq’s parliamentaryleadership formally acknowledged al-Halbousi’s removal. Since then, severalparliamentary sessions have convened to elect his successor. However, the votehas yet to take place, with political factions failing to reach a consensus ona replacement candidate.
Iraq’s power structure is traditionally dividedamong its main ethnic and religious groups: the presidency is held by a Kurd,the prime ministership by a Shia, and the parliamentary speaker’s position by aSunni. Such appointments often demand protracted negotiations, sometimesextending for months.
This complex power-sharing structure has leftpolitical leaders in search of an agreement amid renewed debates over Iraq’slegislative priorities and coalition dynamics.
Shiite Parties Dominates Speaker Election
The Iraqi Parliament, comprising 329 members, isdominated by the Coordination Framework, which unites all Shiite factionsexcept for the Sadrist Movement led by influential cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Withits alliances among Sunni and Kurdish blocs and independent members, theCoordination Framework has established itself as the primary force inparliamentary votes, including the upcoming election for a new speaker.
On the other hand, the Sunni blocs are largelysplit between al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum Alliance and the Sovereignty Alliance ledby Khamis al-Khanjar. Although Taqaddum initially joined forces withSovereignty following the last elections holding together 67 members and were considered thelargest Sunni bloc in the new legislature, however,the factions now hold differing stances.
Additionally, the Kurdistan Democratic Party(KDP), headed by Masrour Barzani, wields considerable influence in the speakerelection due to its substantial seat count (more than 30).
The remaining parliamentary factions arerelatively minor players in shaping the leadership outcome.
This intricate web of alliances complicated thedecision over the new parliamentary speaker, and at the same time led to a newera.
Iraq's Parliament Elects al-Mashhadani
On October 31, Iraq's Parliament elected Mahmoudal-Mashhadani as its new speaker, the man was viewed as a unifying figure amongSunni parties and emerged as a compromise candidate amid deep divisions withinthe Sunni political landscape.
Al-Mashhadani received backing from influentialShiite factions, including Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition, along withKurdish and Sunni leaders such as the ousted former speaker al-Halbousi. TheKurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) under Masoud Barzani’s leadership also threwits support behind al-Mashhadani, boosting his chances.
In the decisive vote, al-Mashhadani received 181votes to win the position, while Salem al-Issawi,representing the Sovereignty bloc, garnered 43 votes.
The first round of voting had shown him leadingwith 153 votes but without the majority needed. Salem al-Issawi garnered 95votes in the first round, while independent candidate Amer Abdul Jabbarreceived 9 votes, with 15 ballots declared invalid.
This coalition of Sunni, Shiite, and Kurdishpowers behind al-Mashhadani could now mark a shift in forming new alliances.
Al-Mashhadani: Iraq’s Seasoned Lawmaker
Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Iraq’s newly re-electedSpeaker of Parliament, is a seasoned political figure known for his direct andoften controversial approach.
At 75, al-Mashhadani brings a wealth oflegislative and political experience to the role, having served previously asSpeaker from 2006 to 2009.
He graduated from Baghdad University’s Collegeof Medicine in 1972 and initially served as a doctor in the Iraqi army, holdingthe rank of first lieutenant.
Al-Mashhadani’s political journey has been keyfigure in Iraq’s post-2003.
As the first Iraqi Speaker after SaddamHussein’s regime, he also presided over the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in2008. His close relationship with key Shiite figures, including Hadial-Amiri—whom he honored with a symbolic gesture following hisvictory—signifies the complex alliances that paved the way for his return topower.
During Saddam’s rule, he served 15 years inprison for opposing the Iran-Iraq war, and after 2003, he was briefly detainedby US forces over alleged ties to an armed group. Yet these events did littleto deter him; he went on to join Iraq’s constitutional committee in 2005 andbecame a significant Sunni voice in Iraqi politics.
Internationally, al-Mashhadani is noted for hisbalanced diplomatic stance, maintaining relations across regional powers—areflection of his pragmatic approach to Iraq's foreign policy.
Analysts suggest that his reappointment signalsa possible return to political ambitions for other influential leaders,including Nouri al-Maliki, as Iraq heads toward its next elections in 2025.
Al-Mashhadani Vows Legislative Reforms andRegional Solidarity
In his inaugural address as Iraq’s newly electedSpeaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani expressed gratitude to lawmakersfor their trust, pledging to uphold democratic principles and fostercooperative efforts within the legislature. “This position is a considerableresponsibility, and I commit to working with every member to enact laws thatserve our people,” al-Mashhadani declared, emphasizing his intention tostrengthen the legislative and oversight roles of Parliament.
He outlined plans for close collaboration withgovernment institutions to address and resolve issues obstructing effective lawimplementation.
Turning to regional conflicts, al-Mashhadanivoiced his unequivocal support for the Palestinian and Lebanese populations,who, he said, “stand resilient amid massacres that stain the conscience ofhumanity, inflicted by Zionist forces as the world remains silent in the faceof the Israeli machinery of war.” He also pledged to “work in partnership withArab and international parliaments to advocate for a ceasefire and press for anend to the violence through international channels.”
Concluding his address, al-Mashhadani stressed acommitment to action, promising, “Our efforts will go beyond speeches; we aredetermined to provide humanitarian aid to besieged and displaced families inGaza and Lebanon.”
According to observers, al-Mashhadani’s leadershippresents both opportunities and challenges for the country. With a commitmentto fostering unity among diverse political factions and addressing pressingregional issues, al-Mashhadani's approach could pave the way for legislativereforms and enhanced cooperation. However, the effectiveness of theseinitiatives will depend on the ability of Iraq's political leaders to navigatethe intricate web of alliances and historical divisions that have long plaguedthe nation's governance.
