The opening session of the Iraqi Parliament in 2022 began on Sunday. Tensions were high as a fight broke out among MPs from the Sadrist Movement and the Coordination Framework, while the interim speaker, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani collapsed.
Mashhadani, Halbousi’s rival for the position of parliament speaker, was rushed to the hospital as parliament adjourned.
MP Khalid al-Daraji chaired the session when parliament resumed. A large number of MPs were absent from today’s session and there were only 228 votes. Halbousi received 200 votes and Mashhaddani 14, while 14 were spoiled ballots.
Mohammed Rekan Hadid Ali al-Halbousi, born in 1981 in Anbar governorate, graduated from the College of Civil Engineering at Mustansiriyah University and received a master’s degree in Highways and Roads Engineering in 2006.
Halbousi was previously the governor of Anbar and is a member of the Progress Party (Takadum).
After the election the leader of the Sadrist movement, Muqtada al-Sadr, commented on the recent Parliamentary updates, representing by electing a new Parliament Presidium. Al-Sadr said in a tweet, "choosing the Parliament Presidium is an early sign for the birth of a national majority government.""The Parliament will create a national, impartial, service government that protects the sovereignty of the country and serves its people."
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