The Coordination Framework has announced plans to elect a new Speaker of Parliament next week, a move that has sparked controversy and highlighted deepening sectarian divisions within Iraq’s political landscape. The decision comes nearly a year after the Federal Court removed former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi following a parliamentary complaint.

The Framework has expressed a desire to keep Mohsen al-Mandalawi as the acting Speaker until a final candidate is confirmed. However, this decision has been met with strong resistance from Sunni political factions. Fares al-Fares, leader of the Sunni al-Sadara coalition, rejected the move, arguing, “The position of Speaker of Parliament should be decided by Sunnis, and there's no need for Shia intervention,” referring to the long-standing tradition of sectarian allocation of top political positions in Iraq.

While the Coordination Framework has indicated that Mahmoud al-Mashhadani is a leading candidate for the role, internal disagreements within the Shia bloc have complicated the situation. Ali Fatlawi, a senior figure in the Framework, acknowledged the divide among Shia factions, further complicating efforts to settle on a single nominee.

In Iraq's political system, the position of Speaker is reserved for a Sunni, the Prime Minister’s office for a Shia, and the Presidency for a Kurd. This power-sharing arrangement is critical to maintaining the delicate balance between the country’s major sectarian groups.

With the election of a new Speaker fast approaching, concerns are growing about the impact of the ongoing tensions on Iraq’s political stability. As both regional and international observers closely monitor the situation, the outcome of this election could have significant implications for Iraq's internal cohesion and its relationships with neighboring countries in the Middle East.