Sadrist lawmaker calls PM to dissolve parliament

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Sadrist MP Bahaa al-Aaraji on Thursday called on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to dissolve the parliament because it hampers the political process. Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, al-Aaraji said “I demand the premier to discuss with the president on the mechanisms included in the constitution to dissolve the parliament,” al-Aaraji told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Two years ago, I demanded the dissolution of parliament because it hampers the political process and providing services to citizens through hindering enacting laws,” he added. The Iraqi Parliament is still without a speaker since former speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani’s resignation was accepted in an extraordinary session held on December 23, 2008 after a squabble between him and members from the security & defense and legal committees and some words he said which were considered “insulting.” The sorting process ended (Feb. 19) with the participation of 234 lawmakers. MP Samarraie from the Sunni IAF won 136 votes, while his competitor Khalil Gaddou from the National Dialogue Council got 81. The candidate must obtain an absolute majority to win. SH (S)/SR 1