Negotiations over filling the vacant position of Iraq's Parliamentary Speaker continue to face challenges, with Zaytoun al-Dulaimi, an Iraqi Member of Parliament, casting doubt on the possibility of political factions agreeing on a single candidate. Al-Dulaimi emphasized on Saturday that political dynamics have made consensus "unrealistic," as discussions between Sunni and Shiite forces remain complex and fraught with interference in each other's affairs.

Challenges to Agreement

"It's extremely difficult for parties to agree on one person who can represent all political forces as Parliament Speaker," al-Dulaimi told local media. She suggested that the most practical solution might involve nominating two or three candidates, allowing parliament members to make the final decision through a vote. According to al-Dulaimi, this approach is currently under discussion as the most feasible path forward.

Political Stances

The search for a new parliamentary speaker has exposed deep divisions within Iraq's political landscape. Muthanna al-Samarrai, leader of the Alliance of Resolve (Azm), declared that his coalition would boycott any parliamentary session that does not include a vote on the speaker position. This position underscores the pressure facing political leaders to resolve the deadlock.

In contrast, Khalid al-Obeidi, head of the al-Sadara bloc, emphasized the importance of Sunni unity. On Friday, he remarked that reaching a Sunni consensus on a single candidate for the speaker role would send a "strong message" of solidarity within the Sunni political community.

Background

The speaker position has remained vacant since November 14, 2023, following a decision by Iraq's Federal Court to terminate the parliamentary memberships of Mohammed al-Halbousi and Laith al-Dulaimi due to internal disputes. The ruling also led to the automatic removal of al-Halbousi from his role as Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, creating a prolonged vacancy that political forces have yet to fill.

As negotiations continue, the potential outcomes remain uncertain, highlighting the challenges of finding a figure capable of bridging Iraq's political divides.