Baghdad: The Iraqi Parliament elected MP Hebat Al Halbousi as its Speaker during the first session of the legislature's sixth term on Monday. Al Halbousi, representing the Taqaddum Party, secured the position with 208 votes after Muthanna Al Samarrai, head of the Azm Alliance, withdrew from the race, leaving the competition among three candidates: Hebat Al Halbousi, Salem Al Issawi, and Amer Abdul-Jabbar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Iraqi National Political Council, which includes Sunni majority forces, announced the nomination of Hebat Al Halbousi for the speakership of the new parliament the day before the session. The council's endorsement played a significant role in Al Halbousi's successful bid for the position.
The Iraqi constitution stipulates that the election of the Speaker of Parliament is to be followed by the election of his two deputies. Subsequently, within 30 days of the first session, the President of the Republic is to be elected. The newly elected President will then assign the largest bloc with the task of forming the new government.