Iraq court rules no authority in dissolving parliament, says legislature can only dissolve itself

Iraq remains in a political deadlock to this day between factions in the Iraqi parliament. The country’s top court ruled this week that it has no authority to dissolve parliament, that the legislature can only dissolve itself.

The Iraq Federal Supreme Court issued a statement Wednesday saying that parliament must dissolve itself if it deems that it failed to deliver on its duties. The Iraqi parliament has the power to choose the prime minister and the president and must approve all laws being passed.

The decision comes amidst civil unrest between supporters of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and the pro-Iran factions and supporters. Sadr and his supporters have demanded that parliament be dissolved, with the court previously ruling that it has no authority to do so.

Sadr and his lawmakers won the most seats in the Iraqi parliament following the October elections last year. However, the cleric and his faction withdrew after failing to form a government that excluded their pro-Iran rivals, leading to protests that have escalated into violent clashes with government forces and militant groups that are backed by Tehran.

The Iran-backed political faction has also attempted and failed to form a government in the midst of protests and unrest in the streets. Sadr’s supporters also stormed the Iraqi parliament and carried out sit-in protests against the formation of a new government by the pro-Iran faction.

Last week, thousands of non-partisan demonstrators went to the Al-Nusoor Square in western Baghdad demanding a complete political overhaul.

“Protestors say they took to the streets today to demand the removal of all the political elite, whom they accuse of corruption,” said Mahmoud Abdelwahed of Al Jazeera, who was reporting from Baghdad. “They are calling for justice for their colleagues who were killed at the hands of security forces in 2019.”

Abdelwahed was referring to the anti-government protests that took place at the time but have since died down.

Demonstrators were reportedly shouting, “People want the fall of the regime,” and “Iran will not rule anymore” in their protests. Abdelwahed said that the demonstrators were protesting against the Iran-backed politicians. Iran has long been accused of manipulating the Iraqi government.