138 votes required to dissolve Parliament- expert

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A legal expert on Monday said that it is difficult to dissolve the Iraqi Parliament or its presidential board, arguing that 138 votes are required for the dissolution. “The Iraqi constitution stipulates that 138 votes are needed for the dissolution of the 275-member Parliament,” Tareq Harb told IraqiNews.com news agency. “Parliamentarians can submit a request for the dissolution of the Parliament, but it is difficult to obtain 138 votes,” Harb added. A number of lawmakers from different political blocs have called to dissolve the Parliament in light of their failure to elect a new speaker. In December 2008, Mahmoud Mashhadani stepped down as Parliament speaker following a heated argument with members of parliamentary committees, during which he allegedly used “offensive” language that prompted many parliamentarians to call for his resignation. SS (P) 1