MP considers accepting trade minister’s resignation ‘unconstitutional’

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: The head of the parliament’s integrity committee said on Tuesday that accepting Trade Minister Abdulfalah al-Sudani’s resignation is unconstitutional, calling on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to reconsider his decision. Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad on Tuesday (May 26), Sabah al-Saadi said “we were surprised by the statement released by the prime minister’s office in which he accepted the resignation presented by al-Sudani after the questioning held on May 16-17 in the Parliament.” Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Monday (May 25) agreed to the resignation presented by Trade Minister Abdulfalah al-Sudani, according to a statement from al-Maliki’s office. “The premier agreed to the resignation presented by al-Sudani,” said the statement received by IraqiNews.com news agency. “The trade minister’s resignation is unconstitutional and illegal and article 61 of the constitution giver the parliament the right to vote of no confidence on ministers by the landslide vote,” al-Saadi said. “The step taken by the premier will allow any minister when the parliament asks to question him to present his resignation and retire,” he explained, calling on the premier to reconsider his decision to accept the minister’s resignation. SH (S)/SR 1