Iraq Parliament Faces Boycott Amid Political Stalemate Over Popular Mobilization Law
After nearly a month of suspended sessions due to political deadlock among political forces, the parliament is scheduled to resume its activities today.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Iraq's parliament is set to hold a crucial session today, but a political impasse over the controversial Popular Mobilization Law has led two major factions to announce a boycott of the proceedings.
This boycott has sparked a strong backlash from the Iraqi public, with many expressing frustration over the delay of important legislation that directly affects the country's governance and future.
After nearly a month of suspended sessions due to political deadlock and disagreements among political forces, the parliament is now scheduled to resume its activities at 1:00 PM today, Saturday.
Among the key items on today’s agenda are a vote on the fourth amendment to the private sector labor law and its implementation, a discussion on the Ministry of Education’s decision to reinstate the national education system, and the first reading of a proposed law regarding the reform of military and civilian service systems.
The session will also address a report on the protection of state-owned assets and property, as well as a second reading of the diplomatic passport law aimed at improving Iraq-Cyprus relations. Additionally, a review of the 2000 Health and Medical Services Law amendment is planned.
Ongoing Political Obstacle:
Despite the planned agenda, the absence of an agreement on the Popular Mobilization Law remains a major obstacle.
Aqel al-Fatlawi, spokesperson for the State of Law Coalition, stated, "Until the Popular Mobilization Law is resolved, we will continue to see boycotts from some factions during parliamentary sessions.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Mousawi, a member of the Sadqoon bloc, emphasized that their group would not participate in any parliamentary session until the law concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) is fully addressed.
"As long as the law governing the PMF remains unresolved, we will refrain from attending any parliamentary discussions."
The PMF Law
The PMF law was passed by the Iraqi parliament on November 26, 2016, despite a boycott from Sunni lawmakers in the Iraqi Forces Coalition, who viewed its approval as a threat to national partnership. The law established the PMF as an auxiliary force to the Iraqi military, directly linked to the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The PMF consists of a leadership structure, including a General Command and several fighting brigades, and operates under the same military laws, with political activity strictly prohibited within its ranks.
