Iraq’s Parliament elects a new speaker to end a nearly yearlong vacuum

Associated Press

BAGHDAD (AP) — After a nearly yearlong vacuum, Iraq’s Parliament has elected a new speaker, selecting a prominent Sunni lawmaker who has a close relationship with Iran. Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, who served a previous stint as speaker from 2006 to 2009, was elected by a vote of 182 of the 269 legislators who attended the session, a surprise move after months of deadlock between political factions. Former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi was dismissed by a Federal Supreme Court last November against the backdrop of a lawsuit filed by then-lawmaker Laith al-Dulaimi.