Iraq’s top court defends decision to revoke parliamentary speaker's membership

By Haydar Karaalp

BAGHDAD (AA) - Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court announced Sunday that it had the authority to terminate the membership of the speaker of parliament after he forced a deputy to resign.

The court also provided the reasons for its decision to revoke Muhammad Al-Halbousi’s membership.

"For any party leader to force members of parliament to resign is contrary to constitutional values and Articles 5, 6, 14, 16, 17, 20, 39 and 50 of the Constitution,” said a statement issued by the court.

“This points to a significant deviation from the democratic process, which many parliaments around the world are not accustomed to. The will of the people represented by the Iraqi Council of Representatives cannot be reduced to the personality of the Speaker of Parliament in any way,” it added.

The statement said the Federal Supreme Court could decide to terminate an individual’s membership if they act contrary to constitutional and legal obligations, with a particular emphasis on their violation of the constitutional oath.

It further noted that the court has absolute discretion in evaluating such violations based on facts and evidence.

The Federal Supreme Court on Tuesday terminated Al-Halbousi’s membership and that of Laith al-Dulaimi, a rival lawmaker.

The court in a statement announced the decision to revoke their memberships but did not elaborate on the reasons for its decision.

Halbousi was re-elected as the speaker of the parliament last year.​​​​​​​

The move comes ahead of provincial elections on Dec. 18.

*Writing by Esra Tekin in Istanbul