KDP welcomes Iraq's top court ruling inaugural parliamentary session as 'constitutional'

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) logo. (Photo: KDP)
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) logo. (Photo: KDP)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) on Tuesday welcomed the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court earlier in the day in favor of the constitutionality of the incoming parliament's inaugural session.

Read More: 'Parliament's Jan. 9 session was constitutional': Iraqi Federal Court

KDP spokesman Mahmoud Mohammed called the top court's ruling "a valid and positive decision," adding that it would speed up the constitutional procedure for the formation of a new government.

The top court suspended the parliament's speaker and his two deputies after two lawsuits were filed claiming the session that saw the officials elected was in breach of the constitution and parliamentary procedure. The move was the first of its kind since 2003.

Read More: Iraqi Federal court suspends parliament leaders amid lawsuits

During the Jan. 9 session, lawmakers elected Mohamed al-Halbousi as parliament speaker. After, representatives voted on Halbousi's two deputies, traditionally reserved for one Shia and one Kurdish candidate.

According to Iraq's constitution, members of the legislature are now to convene within 30 days of the Jan. 9 session to elect the next Iraqi president, who in turn must name a prime minister-designate from parliament's largest bloc within 15 days to form a cabinet.

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