Baghdad council votes to ‘retire’ governor, triggering legal challenge and political tension

BAGHDAD — The Baghdad Provincial Council voted Sunday to retire Governor Abdulmutalib Al-Alawi, citing age-related provisions under Iraqi law. The move, formalized in an emergency session as Decision No. 49 of 2025, has been swiftly rejected by Al-Alawi, who vowed to mount a legal challenge, calling the decision procedurally and legally flawed.

The council invoked Article 10 of the Unified Retirement Law and Articles 23 and 24 of the Law of Governorates Not Incorporated into a Region (Law No. 21 of 2008, as amended) to justify its action.

In a statement, Al-Alawi argued that the council had violated its own rules of procedure. “The Baghdad Provincial Council issued a decision to refer me to retirement during an emergency session, even though the matter was not on the session’s agenda and no vote was held to add it,” he said. “According to the council’s bylaws, no topic may be discussed outside the agenda during emergency sessions. Therefore, the decision lacks procedural and legal legitimacy.”

He added that this marked the tenth attempt to remove him under the pretext of reaching retirement age. “I was already retired at the time of my election, and the law does not set an upper age limit for those appointed as governor,” Al-Alawi said. “Out of respect for public service and legal responsibility, I will resort to the legal mechanisms provided under Law No. 21 of 2008 to appeal the decision.”

Al-Alawi, a longtime member of the State of Law Coalition led by Nouri Al-Maliki and affiliated with the Islamic Dawa Party, was unanimously elected governor in February 2024 by all 52 council members. His removal comes amid simmering political tensions between State of Law and the Taqaddum bloc.

Earlier this month, the council attempted to dismiss Al-Alawi in a contested session that was later declared invalid. That attempt briefly disrupted the coalition between State of Law and Taqaddum before both sides reaffirmed their alliance.

Born in 1959 in Diwaniyah, Al-Alawi holds degrees in administration and economics from the University of Baghdad. His career includes stints in the ministries of health and education, as well as serving as an adviser to the prime minister for administrative affairs.