SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The deputy to the head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) faction in the Iraqi parliament said on Saturday that the chamber would resume its sessions after the Arbaeen observance ended.
Deputy to the Head of the PUK faction in the Iraqi council of representatives Mulla Karim Shkur in a statement told Esta Media Network that strict security measures have been taken in the Iraqi capital, preparing to resume the parliament sessions.
“The Sadrist bloc led by influential Shia Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr warns that the parliament next session shall only discuss the dissolution of the Chamber itself,” He said.
Shkur in his words stressed that the government must be formed as the foremost step, otherwise, the country would be more destabilized
“There is an endeavor to resume the parliament sessions after Arbaeen,” the MP said. “From today [Saturday] strict security measures have been taken,” He added.
The Iraqi parliament has been shut down since the supporters of Sadr staged a sit-in in the chamber in July, a counter move by Sadr against his Shiite rivals, preventing them to vote for a new government.
Sadr recently announced his step down from political life, the sit-in ended late in August leaving Baghdad in a state of turmoil and a violent armed clash between the pro-Sadr protester and Iran-aligned groups.
The violence ended when he ordered his supporters to vacate the streets and withdraw from the legislative chamber.
All of these events are the result of an election in October 2021, the Sadrist won 73 seats, making Sadr lead the biggest faction in the chamber and trying to form a majority government but he failed to secure enough parliament quorum out of his rivals.
Sadr’s failure has made him more stubborn to negotiate, he is insisting to dissolve the current elected parliament and hold a snap election which his rival strongly opposes these moves.
Since then, Iraq trapped in unprecedented political deadlock, leaving the country without a new government after nearly 11 months since the election, violating the constitutional timeline and further weakening the caretaker government.
