Baghdad: First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Mohsen Al-Mandalawi has proposed the issuance of interim legislation to address ongoing political deadlocks, pending comprehensive constitutional amendments. He emphasized that the Iraqi constitution is adaptable and can be amended through serious dialogue.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Mandlawi’s media office released a statement indicating that he sponsored a dialogue seminar at the Council building on Tuesday. The seminar, titled “Iraqi Elections and the Mechanism for Selecting the Prime Minister – Between Constitutional Text and Practical Application,” was part of the Iraqi Dialogue Project. This initiative was organized in collaboration with the European Foundation for Dialogue and Development, the German Foreign Ministry, the Ghadan Foundation for Risk Management, and the Iraqi Institute for Dialogue. Attendees included former First Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Sheikh Dr. Humam Hamoudi, along with various representatives, political and academic figures, and members of partner institutions.
In his address, Al-Mandlawi underscored that the establishment of a democratic, parliamentary republican system was a result of the sacrifices and struggles of the Iraqi people to build a state of institutions. He highlighted that the 2005 constitution forms the backbone of the country’s unity and legitimizes the government through popular participation in elections. Al-Mandlawi challenged the perception of the constitution as “rigid,” advocating for its flexible nature, subject to amendments that align with the nation’s supreme interests and respect the rights of all components, through constructive dialogue.
Al-Mandlawi also discussed the difficulties confronting the political process, such as the interpretation of the “largest bloc” and the quorum needed for presidential elections. He stressed that these issues necessitate clear constitutional solutions devoid of ambiguity. He suggested the adoption of interim legislation by the Council of Representatives to manage political stalemates until necessary constitutional amendments can be finalized and put to a popular vote. He acknowledged the support of international and local institutions in bolstering Iraq’s democratic journey and urged participants to contribute constructive ideas to foster a peaceful transfer of power and sustain the electoral process for the benefit of the Iraqi populace.
Sheikh Dr. Humam Hamoudi, head of the Constitution Drafting Committee, remarked on the critical role of the prime minister selection mechanism within Iraq’s political framework. He reiterated the constitution’s commitment to empowering the people to choose their government while ensuring political consensus to prevent power monopolization. He noted that the Federal Court has clarified the selection of government through parliamentary blocs and highlighted the ease of amending laws, given the constitution’s flexibility and specific amendment conditions, ensuring democratic balance and political system stability.
The statement added that the dialogue seminar featured enriching speeches from various experts, including the Director of the Iraqi Institute for Dialogue, Counselor Dr. Abbas Radhi, and the President of the European Foundation for Dialogue and Development, Alaa Al-Bahadli. European experts also shared insights on the constitutional text, and participants, including judges, advisors, general managers, lawyers, and professors, engaged in discussions to present their perspectives on the seminar’s topic.