The Iraqi Federal Court confirmed that the decision to terminate the membership of the Speaker of Parliament, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, is final and binding for all authorities, and cannot be challenged legally. The head of the court, Jassim Al-Amiri, stated that "the recent decision of the Federal Court which includes the termination of the membership of Speaker Muhammad Rikan Al-Halbousi and Deputy Leyth Mustafa Hamoud Al-Dulaimi is binding for all authorities, in accordance with Article 94 of the Constitution." He added that "this decision is not subject to any legal challenge," noting that "the Federal Court is authorized to consider such differing cases according to Article 93 of the Constitution."
Earlier, the Federal Court decided to terminate the membership of Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi. In a statement, the court mentioned that it "examined the case numbered 9/Federal/2023." It added that "it decided, based on the ruling issued therein, to terminate the membership of Speaker Muhammad Rikan Al-Halbousi and Deputy Leyth Mustafa Hamoud Al-Dulaimi as of the date of the ruling on November 14, 2023, making the decision final and binding for all authorities."
The ousted Speaker, Muhammad Al-Halbousi, expressed his rejection of the Federal Court's decision to terminate his parliamentary membership, considering that "the court does not have the authority to challenge a deputy's membership."
In the first session of Parliament after Al-Halbousi's dismissal, MP Sarwa Muhammad from the National Union Coalition predicted that the Parliament would vote on amending the law of the Independent High Electoral Commission by the end of next week, confirming the continuation of parliamentary sessions under the leadership of the first deputy speaker.
Muhammad stated that "following the Federal Court's decision to terminate the membership of Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi, more than 50 signatures were collected to hold an extraordinary session for the first reading of the amendment to the law of the Independent High Electoral Commission." She indicated that "according to the Parliament's internal system, the first deputy speaker presides over parliamentary sessions, therefore, an extraordinary session was held yesterday (Wednesday) for the first reading of the amendment bill."
Muhammad confirmed that "other sessions will be held next week under the leadership of the first deputy, Mohsen Al-Mandlawi, for the second reading of the amendment to the law of the Independent High Electoral Commission, in addition to the reading and voting on several laws."
She pointed out that "once the second reading of the amendment to the law of the Commission is completed, the Parliament will vote at the end of next week on the amendment that includes extending the work of the Board of Commissioners for six months, after which Parliament will enter into legislative recess."
She concluded by saying that "the legislative recess for Parliament will allow Sunni parties and blocs to negotiate among themselves and agree on a candidate for the position of Speaker of Parliament."
Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Democratic Party called on the State Administration Coalition to conduct a thorough assessment of the Federal Supreme Court's decision regarding the cancellation of the membership of the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Muhammad Al-Halbousi.
The party's official spokesperson, Mahmoud Muhammad, stated in a statement that "the situation in Iraq and the region is so chaotic that there is a possibility of a significant upheaval," adding that "this situation is the responsibility of all political parties in general, and the forces forming the State Administration Coalition specifically."
Muhammad urged the State Administration Coalition to "evaluate the situation more accurately, especially the recent decision of the Federal Court to remove the head of the legislative authority from his position," describing this decision as one that "deepens tensions further and exacerbates them at a time when it was expected to resolve existing problems instead of accumulating them, which endangers societal peace and stability."
He stated that "the Democratic Party is closely monitoring the situation, and we are concerned about the recent political developments; therefore, it is essential to consider the economic, security, and political situation, and anticipated probabilities in the region, and to take responsible steps to reorganize the situation from the perspective of the permanent constitution, and to implement the articles and provisions of the State Administration Coalition agreement and the government program, especially those related to the Federal Council and the Federal Court."
The spokesperson for the Kurdistan Democratic Party emphasized the necessity of returning to the principles of building the new Iraq (partnership, consensus, and balance) and affirming the sovereignty of the constitution, which is the only guarantee of coexistence, stability, and unity in Iraq."
On the ground, a security source revealed that a force from the Counter-Terrorism Service arrived in the city of Fallujah in Anbar province.
The source stated that "a force from the Counter-Terrorism Service arrived in Fallujah after requests from tribal sheikhs, specifically from the Sheikh of the Al-Jumailat tribe (Ali Hamad)."
He added that "the Counter-Terrorism force began a campaign of arrests on a number of individuals who fired weapons and insulted the judiciary, and the Minister of Interior has directed the security forces in the province to be mobilized to prevent the chaos that occurred days ago."
The Anbar Police Directorate announced that it had arrested 22 people so far on charges of firing weapons in Fallujah and Karma.
The Ministry of Interior stated that the arrests were made following "incidents of random gunfire by individuals that caused chaos in the province."
Among those arrested was a well-known poet from Fallujah and Anbar.
