PM Sudani takes steps towards amending Iraqi constitution
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Sunday appointed Nima al-Yasiri as his advisor on constitutional affairs, in a step towards amending constitutional articles that hindered the formation of a new government in the country for over a year.
The newly appointed advisor will hold meetings with executive and legislative officials, in order to “chart the roadmap for making the required constitutional amendments,” according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
The statement from the premier added that the step is part of the new government’s ministerial program which was approved by the Iraqi parliament in October, in an effort to prevent the recurrence of political deadlocks, similar to the one that plagued the country following the 2021 parliamentary elections.
Iraq held parliamentary elections in October 2021, but the elected legislature was unsuccessful in forming the country’s next government for over a year due to continued disagreements between the political blocs over the mechanisms of its formation.
Prior to electing Abdul Latif Rashid in October, the Iraqi parliament failed on three separate occasions to vote on the president of the country, due to not reaching the legal quorum needed to hold the vote, as hundreds of MPs boycotted the sessions.
According to the constitution, the president of Iraq shall be elected by the parliament by a two-thirds majority of the number of its members.
Faiq Zidan, president of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, in February 2022 called on amending articles from the constitution to fit the circumstances of the time, especially the article requiring a two-thirds majority of the parliament to vote on the president.
“In Iraq, the 2005 constitution was drafted in circumstances that differed at the time from the current circumstances, and most of those who participated in drafting it in the form currently in effect are at the forefront of those calling for its amendment now,” said Zidan.
The newly appointed advisor will hold meetings with executive and legislative officials, in order to “chart the roadmap for making the required constitutional amendments,” according to a statement from Sudani’s office.
The statement from the premier added that the step is part of the new government’s ministerial program which was approved by the Iraqi parliament in October, in an effort to prevent the recurrence of political deadlocks, similar to the one that plagued the country following the 2021 parliamentary elections.
Iraq held parliamentary elections in October 2021, but the elected legislature was unsuccessful in forming the country’s next government for over a year due to continued disagreements between the political blocs over the mechanisms of its formation.
Prior to electing Abdul Latif Rashid in October, the Iraqi parliament failed on three separate occasions to vote on the president of the country, due to not reaching the legal quorum needed to hold the vote, as hundreds of MPs boycotted the sessions.
According to the constitution, the president of Iraq shall be elected by the parliament by a two-thirds majority of the number of its members.
Faiq Zidan, president of the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council, in February 2022 called on amending articles from the constitution to fit the circumstances of the time, especially the article requiring a two-thirds majority of the parliament to vote on the president.
“In Iraq, the 2005 constitution was drafted in circumstances that differed at the time from the current circumstances, and most of those who participated in drafting it in the form currently in effect are at the forefront of those calling for its amendment now,” said Zidan.