“Recite the Fatiha”: Iraqi MP Declares Parliament Term Dead Ahead of Elections

By Kamaran Aziz

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — In a dramatic and symbolic declaration, Iraqi Member of Parliament Haitham Fahd has pronounced the current legislative term of the Iraqi parliament effectively over, urging political actors to "recite the Fatiha" over it — a metaphor commonly used in Iraq to mark the death of something.

In a press statement, the independent MP stated: “According to the constitution, the term of Parliament has expired. Previously, political factions intentionally suspended and disrupted parliamentary sessions to block the passage of laws concerning the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), amendments to the election law, and measures aimed at increasing civil servant salaries.”

Fahd emphasized that, despite no formal dissolution, the parliament’s oversight and legislative functions have been dormant for months, largely at the behest of dominant political parties.

“At the request of most political parties, this parliamentary term — along with its oversight and legislative role — effectively ended months before the elections. Therefore, it is time to declare its closure; there is no longer a functioning parliament,” he said.

The statement has added fuel to a growing chorus of skepticism over the current parliament’s viability, especially as Iraq prepares for its upcoming legislative elections.

Legal Committee Echoes Grim Outlook

In parallel remarks, Mohammed Anouz, a member of the Legal Committee in Iraq’s Parliament, echoed Fahd’s assessment.

Anouz openly questioned the possibility of legislative activity in the remaining months before the next election, affirming: “There is no hope for reactivating this session.”

Anouz further disclosed that approximately 120 pending legislative proposals remain unresolved.

These include critical bills on political reform, economic planning, and public administration — all of which are now expected to be carried over into the next parliamentary term.

Elections Scheduled for November 11

The Iraqi Council of Ministers has officially scheduled parliamentary elections for November 11, 2025, in a vote that is expected to redefine the legislative landscape. As reported by Kurdistan24, the election date has been set amid growing pressure for political renewal and structural reform.

According to the Iraqi Electoral Commission, about 29 million eligible voters are expected to participate across the country. Out of 66 registered political coalitions, 18 have officially withdrawn from the race. Meanwhile, eight new alliances have submitted applications to run in the elections, with two of them already granted official approval.

The withdrawal of key coalitions and the emergence of new ones underscores the volatile and transitional nature of Iraq’s current political environment.

Political observers say these dynamics reflect not only electoral calculations but also public dissatisfaction with parliamentary performance, governance failures, and unmet reform promises.

Institutional Paralysis and the Path Forward

The assertions by Fahd and Anouz point to a broader institutional paralysis that has gripped Iraq’s legislative branch in recent months.

With hundreds of unresolved bills and little chance of meaningful reform in the current term, attention is now shifting toward the upcoming elections as a possible reset.

However, with low public trust in the political process and high levels of voter apathy, the real challenge may lie not just in electing new representatives, but in restoring credibility to Iraq’s democratic institutions.

Whether the November vote will deliver that renewal remains to be seen.