Between incompetence and misconduct… Is the end of Al-Mashhadani’s presidency approaching?
Between incompetence and misconduct… Is the end of Al-Mashhadani’s presidency approaching?
8-6-2025
Information/Report
Amid a tense political climate and growing divisions among parliamentary blocs, Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani faces widespread criticism within parliament, amid accusations of inability to manage sessions and public calls for his dismissal.
The legislative establishment is experiencing a state of near-total paralysis amid escalating disputes within the parliament’s presidium, particularly between al-Mashhadani and his first deputy, Mohsen al-Mandalawi. This has led to the disruption of several sessions and the postponement of discussions on crucial draft laws.
Lack of ability or lack of compatibility?
MP Bassem Al-Gharibawi told Al-Maalouma, “The current Speaker of Parliament was appointed as a result of political consensus, not based on administrative or leadership competence.” He noted that “Al-Mashhadani has not been able to lead a single session for more than an hour since assuming office, and often leaves the task to his deputies.”
According to Al-Gharibawi, this inability is attributed to his advanced age and deteriorating health, noting that “his recent statements regarding the demonstrations represent his personal opinion and do not reflect the official position of the House of Representatives. Rather, they are used to justify his failure to manage the sessions.”
Deterioration in coordination within the Presidency
The criticism did not stop there. MP Mohammed Radhi Sultan pointed out that the dispute between al-Mashhadani and his first deputy had recurred on more than one occasion, describing what happened during the last parliamentary session as “regrettable,” as the session was adjourned due to what he described as “unruly” behavior by the parliament speaker.
Sultan added to Al-Maalouma, “Al-Mashhadani bears responsibility for disrupting the sessions, as he left without clear coordination, despite the constitutional context granting the first deputy the authority to complete the session, which is what happened. However, Al-Mashhadani’s subsequent objection was misplaced.”
Signatures for dismissal… and doubts about his physical fitness
The crisis escalated after a number of MPs submitted a petition calling for Mashhadani’s dismissal. The petition cited controversial statements he made, including describing the Iraqi identity as “ridiculous,” which the MPs deemed offensive to the constitution and civil peace.
The document also called for Mashhadani to be referred to specialized medical committees to ensure his mental and psychological fitness to continue his duties, an indication of the deteriorating relationship between the Speaker of Parliament and several members of parliament.
In the same context, MP Haitham Al-Fahd said that Al-Mashhadani is “trying to undermine the legislative institution,” adding that his decision to adjourn the final session despite the legal quorum being met sets a dangerous precedent.
The complexity of the legislative landscape
This tension comes as Parliament prepares to debate several important laws that affect citizens’ lives and regulate state operations, amid warnings that continued disagreements within the presidency could doom the current legislative session entirely.
While no official comment has yet been issued by Al-Mashhadani’s office on these accusations, speculation is growing that his fate could be decided in the coming period, either by his resignation or his dismissal through a parliamentary vote.
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