The Iraqi Supreme Court has made a significant political move by suspending the powers of parliamentary speaker Muhammed al-Halbousi, who is considered the most powerful Sunni Muslim politician in Iraq. This decision, according to local government sources cited by Reuters, has far-reaching implications for Iraq’s political landscape. In response to the decision, Halbousi’s office issued a statement calling it “biased” and criticized it for violating the country’s constitution and undermining national unity. While no further details were provided, government sources have linked this decision to Halbousi’s disagreement with President Barham Salih over a recent investigation conducted by the Supreme Judicial Council against the speaker.

Muhammed al-Halbousi, who began his second term as speaker in 2022, has held the position since 2018. This role was established as part of a power-sharing system put in place after the U.S. invasion in 2003. As the highest-ranking Sunni Muslim politician in Iraq, Halbousi has wielded substantial influence and authority. However, with the Supreme Court’s decision to suspend his powers, his ability to shape Iraq’s political landscape has been effectively crippled.

It is worth noting that the court’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. This casts a shadow over the future of Halbousi’s political career and raises questions about the potential impact on the power dynamics within Iraq’s government. The suspension of a prominent political figure’s powers is likely to create ripples throughout the country’s political landscape, possibly leading to greater instability and tensions among different factions.

Furthermore, Halbousi’s accusation of bias and constitutional violation hints at a larger struggle for power and influence within Iraq’s political sphere. The current dispute between Halbousi and President Salih adds another layer of complexity to this already tense situation. The investigation conducted by the Supreme Judicial Council, which triggered this decision, is likely to have uncovered sensitive information or allegations that have further strained the relationship between the two political figures.

As Iraq continues to navigate the challenges of post-invasion governance and seeks to build a cohesive and unified nation, the suspension of parliamentary speaker Muhammed al-Halbousi’s powers by the Supreme Court threatens to deepen existing divisions. How the political landscape unfolds in the aftermath of this decision will have far-reaching consequences for Iraq’s stability and prospects for national unity.