Shafaq News/ Iraqi lawmakers are preparing to question key ministers inPrime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s government, including the oil andcommunications ministers, amid concerns over the performance of the currentparliament, which many see as having lost its oversight function.
The lawmakers have emphasized the need to select a new parliamentspeaker to proceed with these inquiries, with some describing the currentparliamentary line-up as one of the "weakest" in terms of legislativeand oversight duties. Analysts argue that the parliament's lack of diversityhas contributed to its poor performance.
Current Parliament’s Inactivity
Lawmaker Ibtisam al-Hilali noted that previous legislatures were muchmore active in holding ministers accountable and passing important legislation.
"In previous parliamentary cycles, we witnessed numerousministerial interrogations, hearings, and even dismissals, in addition to thepassing of many important laws," al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency."However, the current session has failed to enact laws as needed. So far,roughly 15 laws have been passed, while many critical issues concerning theIraqi people remain unresolved."
Regarding upcoming inquiry sessions, al-Hilali explained that whilesignatures have been collected to initiate the process, the absence of asitting parliamentary speaker has stalled the proceedings.
"The lack of a parliamentary speaker has played a significant rolein preventing these interrogations from moving forward," she said."As soon as a new speaker is elected, there will be numerous questioningsessions, particularly concerning agriculture, industry, and investment."
A Vacant Speaker's Seat
Lawmaker Hussein al-Battat, from the State of Law coalition, echoedal-Hilali's concerns, stressing that the vacant speaker's seat has hampered theparliament’s ability to function, particularly in overseeing ministers.
"The absence of a parliamentary speaker during this critical periodis deeply concerning, as the position is a crucial entitlement for a keycomponent of Iraq’s political process," al-Battat told Shafaq News Agency."The ongoing disagreements between political blocs over this position havecast a shadow over the council's work and its ability to move forward withquestioning ministers."
He pointed to several critical laws that have yet to be passed due tothese disputes, including the General Amnesty Law, Personal Status Law, andpension reforms for the Popular Mobilization Forces.
The State of Law coalition has gathered more than 60 signatures for aquestioning session targeting the oil minister, while efforts are also underwayto summon the communications minister and heads of several government agencies.Al-Battat suggested that a series of hearings and interrogations would takeplace in the near future.
"There is an urgent need to reshuffle the current cabinet," hesaid. "The prime minister has been notified about the necessity of acabinet reshuffle. Ignoring underperforming ministers would be a seriousmistake for Iraq’s political process."
Parliament’s Lack Of Diversity
Political analyst Ahmed al-Yasiri attributed the lack of parliamentaryaction to what he called a "single-color government," with thedominant blocs in parliament closely aligned with the ruling coalition.
"A one-color government usually has the full support ofparliamentary blocs, so there is no real opposition," al-Yasiri said."Independent members have been marginalized, and the exclusion of theSadrist movement has turned parliament into a one-sided body."
He added that Sunni and Kurdish blocs have aligned themselves with theShiite-dominated Coordination Framework, which now exerts the greatestinfluence in parliament.
"These blocs are now focused on consolidating the agreements theymade when the government was formed," al-Yasiri explained. "No Sunnibloc aligned with the Coordination Framework would dare question a ministerwithout facing pressure on other fronts."
This dynamic, he said, has effectively stifled opposition and preventedthe necessary oversight of government performance.
"The lack of ministerial questioning is directly related to thisone-color government and parliament, where there is no real opposition, andindependents have been sidelined," al-Yasiri added. "Even independentMPs now fall under the orbit of the Coordination Framework, which controls muchof Iraq’s political life."
Al-Yasiri described the current parliament and government as"minority-led," with neither diversity nor accountability.
"Philosophically, this government and this parliament are bothminority entities," he said. "There is no competition oraccountability, and the role of parliament is now weaker than that of thegovernment."
He noted the overall weakness in Iraq’s political system, where nosubstantial political projects are in place. This vacuum has led some blocs torevive old, divisive issues such as personal status laws.
"The current parliamentary cycle is the weakest in terms ofperformance, attendance, and implementation," al-Yasiri concluded.
In a televised speech on Sunday, Prime Minister al-Sudani urgedpolitical factions to "act responsibly and support the government"and called on them to swiftly appoint a new parliamentary speaker to facilitatea cabinet reshuffle.