New speaker of parliament meets deputies ahead of legislative agenda

BAGHDAD — Speaker of the Council of Representatives Haibat Al-Halbousi met Sunday with First Deputy Speaker Adnan Fayhan and Second Deputy Speaker Farhad Atrushi to review issues related to parliamentary work, according to a statement from the Speaker’s media office.

The meeting focused on activating the Council’s oversight and legislative roles in the coming period, the statement said.

Participants also discussed preparations for a monthly agenda that would include eight sessions per month. The meeting stressed the need to swiftly form the Council’s permanent committees so they can carry out their duties.

Full statement:

The Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Sheikh Haibat Al-Halbousi, held a meeting today, Sunday, with the First Deputy Speaker, Mr. Adnan Fayhan, and the Second Deputy Speaker, Mr. Farhad Amin Al-Atroshi.

The meeting discussed a number of issues related to the work of the Council and emphasized the importance of activating its oversight and legislative roles during the coming period.

The meeting also addressed preparations and the organization of a monthly agenda comprising eight sessions per month. Emphasis was placed on the importance of promptly forming the Council’s permanent committees so they can fully perform their duties. It was agreed to begin these steps by forming a committee of parliamentary bloc leaders during tomorrow’s session, Monday. This committee will be tasked with submitting a proposal to the Speaker and his deputies outlining the distribution of Members of Parliament across the parliamentary committees, in accordance with the Council’s Rules of Procedure and electoral entitlements, while taking specialization into account.