Iraq’s parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi proposed a ten-point plan to resolve the country’s political crisis.
Political powers, meanwhile, are preparing to hold their second national dialogue session at the invitation of caretaker Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi.
The premier had called for the talks around three weeks ago and so far, only one has been held. A round was set for last week, but was obstructed after the eruption of clashes in Baghdad between supporters of cleric Moqtada al-Sadr and his rivals in the pro-Iran Coordination Framework.
It remains to be seen whether the dialogue will be held on Monday or within the week.
Halbousi tweeted that the dialogue agenda must include a number of issues that are essential to move forward the political process.
He listed the scheduling of dates for early parliamentary elections, presidential elections, and elections of provincial council. The polls must all be held before the end of 2023 at the latest, he suggested.
He also called for the formation of a government that enjoys the support of the people and political powers.
The speaker called for the approval of a new state budget and keeping the amendment to the parliamentary elections law.
Moreover, he urged the redeployment of security and military forces and for the interior ministry to oversee this task.
All displaced people must be allowed to return to their hopes, he added.
Halbousi also said that relations between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region government must be rectified in agreement with the people and until the approval of the oil and gas law.
A source close to the speaker said he made his proposals after conferring with the Sovereignty alliance, Sadrist movement and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Professor at Iraq University Fadhel al-Badrani told Asharq Al-Awsat that Halbousi’s plan “breathes new life in parliament.”
It reflects the Sadrist movement’s openness to the political process after it had initially boycotted it, he remarked.
The plan draws a new political process that was impeded by the fierce rivalry between Sadrists and Coordination Framework, as well as the KDP and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, he noted.
