By Xinhua,
BAGHDAD : Iraq’s parliament failed Sunday to elect a new speaker due to persisting disputes over the candidates among parliamentary political blocs, an official said.
“The parliament failed to elect a new speaker for the lack of quorum after six political blocs withdrew from today’s session,” an official in the parliament media office told Xinhua.
He said that the parliament would reconvene on Monday hoping that the political blocs would reach consensus over who they will vote to be the new speaker.
There are five candidates for the vacant post, which suppose to be filled by a Sunni Arab one, according to the country’s sectarian-based political system.
The resignation of the former speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani sparked bitter infighting among Sunni politicians.
The current dispute would paralyze the parliament, preventing it from passing any legislation until a new speaker is chosen.
Late last year, Mashhadani announced resignation at a special parliament session, which was accepted by the majority of the parliament members.
Mashhadani, a Sunni, took office in 2006. His feisty character invited criticism among lawmakers.