President Barzani congratulates Iraqi parliament’s new presidency

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Tuesday congratulated the newly elected speaker of the Iraqi parliament Haybat al-Halbousi and his two deputies on assuming their new roles.

Halbousi of the Sunni Taqaddum Party was elected the speaker of the new term of the parliament on Monday and Adnan Fayhan of the Sadiqoun bloc was elected as his first deputy. The legislature failed to elect the second deputy speaker on the same day due to a tight race between two Kurdish candidates. The parliament on Tuesday elected Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) Farhad Atrushi to the post. 

President Barzani on Tuesday congratulated Halbousi, Fayhan and Atrushi for their new roles. 

“We are hopeful that his election will enhance the productive efforts of the parliament, uphold the constitution, and foster a spirit of unity, dialogue, and understanding among all Iraqi factions and communities, thereby serving the best interests of the nation and reinforcing stability and unity,” President Barzani said in his congratulatory message for Halbousi. 

He hoped that Fayhan could play “an effective role in creating more cooperation and understanding between the factions and political forces.” The Kurdish leader also wished Atrushi success, hoping that his new role will be “a great opportunity” for mutual work.

The parliament on Tuesday opened a three-day window for parties to submit candidates for the mostly ceremonial post of president. While the position has largely been held by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan since the 2003 US-led invasion, the KDP is also seeking the post.

Under Iraq’s informal power-sharing system established after 2003, the parliament speakership is reserved for Sunni Arabs, the premiership for Shiites, and the presidency for Kurds.