Iraq top court did not act according to constitution, says ousted parliament speaker

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The ousted speaker of the Iraqi parliament on Wednesday said the Supreme Court’s decision to terminate his parliamentary membership was not made according to the constitution.

The Court on Tuesday terminated Mohammad Al-Halboosi’s membership in the Iraqi parliament, hence removing him from the top position for “faking official documents”.

The Sunni leader deemed the verdict as “illegal” since termination of membership is the sole responsibility of the speaker of the legislative house.

Following the court’s decision, at least three cabinet members of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, resigned in protest of the decision. The resigned members are from the Taqadoom Party, led by Al-Halboosi.

Elected as parliament speaker in 2018 when he was only 37 years old, he was re-elected to the position again in 2022.

He had warned that in the absence of rule of law, the country would slip into chaos.

"Some parties are trying to divide Iraqi social structures," he told members of parliament in a session on Tuesday following the decision.

The leader said he would continue his political career despite the unprecedented termination decision.