Baghdad: Disagreements and vacant seats are currently impeding the progress of the Parliamentary Higher Education Committee, which is yet to be fully constituted and presently comprises only five members.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, parliamentary sources have highlighted new disagreements that are obstructing the completion of the committee’s formation. The leadership of the Parliament has encouraged MPs to join the committee, following an observed reluctance among numerous representatives from political blocs, resulting in the majority of its seats remaining unfilled.

MPs have expressed their hesitance, attributing it to the influence of two current committee members, Haider al-Mutairi and Adel al-Rikabi, over academic-related parliamentary affairs. There are allegations against these members of attempting to dominate decisions and strategies that shape the committee’s collaboration with the academic sector.

Haider al-Mutairi is affiliated with the Ishraqat Kanoun bloc, whereas Adel al-Rikabi is part of the Sadiqun bloc.