Halbousi meets Masoud Barzani in Erbil

ERBIL — Ousted Speaker Muhammad Al-Halbousi met with Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, in Salahaddin, Erbil, to deliberate on Iraq’s unstable political climate.

A statement issued by Halbousi’s Progress Party highlighted the discussions between the Sunni leader and Barzani on the necessity of fulfilling constitutional duties and fostering consensus among political groups.

This meeting occurs against the backdrop of persistent divisions among Sunni political factions over the selection of a unified candidate for the vacant Parliament speaker role. Al-Halbousi’s removal last November by a Federal Supreme Court ruling has left the position open as factions squabble over potential replacements.

The Progress Party, which holds the largest Sunni bloc in the Iraqi Parliament with 42 seats, has reiterated its right to nominate the speaker.

In a recent gathering, opposing Sunni factions claimed a majority support within the Sunni community and announced plans to propose their own candidate for the highly sought-after position. This role has traditionally been allocated to Sunnis since the U.S. invasion in 2003.

The Progress Party’s statement also hinted at the importance of respecting electoral rights as a cornerstone for political harmony and government effectiveness.