Iraq – Federal Supreme Court rejects petition to dissolve parliament

Location: Baghdad – Iraq

Language: Arabic

Duration: 00:03:11

Sound: natural

Source: A24 in Baghdad

Restrictions: A24 subscribers

Date: 09/07/ 2022

Storyline:

Political analysts interviewed by A24 said that Iraqi judiciary maintained impartiality by rejecting the petition from Sadrist movement to dissolve parliament.

Analysts told A24 that the court refuses to be actively involved in politics, adding that dissolving parliament is the task of parliament itself or the prime minister through a request to the president of the republic.

They mentioned that the Federal Court’s decision may be a prelude to making a decision that would satisfy Sadrist movement by returning its resigned deputies to Parliament.

The court issued a statement today, Wednesday, in which it explained reasons for rejecting the petition.  The statement said, “Members of parliament, after their election, do not represent themselves or their political blocs, but rather the people. Therefore, it is their duty to work towards achieving what they were elected for; the interest of the people. They should not cause disruption and threaten the citizens’ safety.”

The statement added: “The stability of the political process in Iraq requires everyone to abide by the provisions of the constitution. No authority may continue to exceed constitutional timeframe indefinitely, because it violates the constitution, undermines the political process, and threatens the security of the country and citizens.”

Shotlist:

Soundbite (Raad Al-Ibrahimi – Political Analyst):

“The Supreme Judicial Court maintained its impartiality, which gave the Federal Court the power to voice its opinion, that it demanded a solution implicitly, but did not respond to political decisions demanding for it to be actively involved in Iraq’s politics. If the Federal Court resolves every political case, the legislative authority would become a “corpse” without influence, which is why the task of dissolution should be the responsibility of Parliament, who studies and decides on political and economic conditions. Not every case should be filed with the Federal Court as if it were a divorce complaint.”

Shots of streets in capital Baghdad.

Soundbite (Ayman Khaled – Legal Expert):

“The decision of the Federal Court is somewhat inadequate, as it abandoned all acceptable options. The the Federal Court, according to Article 94 of the Constitution, has the power to decide on matters related to the three authorities. However, it resorted to Article 64 of the constitution, which suggests two ways for dissolving Parliament, through a vote in a parliamentary session or request of prime minister to the President of the Republic. The court’s decision might be a prelude to making a decision that would satisfy Sadrist movement by returning its deputies to Parliament, although Sadrist movement still denies requesting their return.”