BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi parliament reconvened on Sunday and elected Bashir Haddad of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) as the second deputy to the speaker on Sunday.
Haddad, a former MP in the Kurdistan Region Parliament, beat out Ahmad Rashid from the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal).
He earned 185 votes of the 282 cast. Rashid received 53 votes.
Bashir Haddad, a KDP MP from Erbil, was voted in as the Iraqi parliament's second deputy speaker on September 16, 2018. Photo: Haddad FB
The Kurdistani opposition parties voiced support for Rashid, while the two largest, KDP and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) backed Haddad.
Iraqi President Fuad Masum of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan wished Haddad good fortune.
“I warmly congratulate you on being elected the second deputy speaker of the fourth term of parliament. I wish you success in undertaking your future duties,” stated Masum.
The Kurdish politician emphasized for a strong parliament to protect national interests.
“I also wish success for the parliament in carrying out its national and constitutional duties in a way to ensure the protection of high national interests,” said Masum.
On Saturday, former Anbar Governor Mohammed al-Halbousi was chosen as the speaker of parliament after obtaining 169 votes in the 329-seat chamber.
Born in 1981, Halbousi is a Sunni Arab, to which the post of speaker has traditionally belonged.
Hassan Karim al-Kaabi was elected as first deputy. The Shiite Arab politician secured 210 votes.
With parliamentary leadership election posts completed, there is a 15-day deadline to select Iraq's next president.
Updated at 3:52 p.m.