Shia bloc objects to Sunni candidate: Iraq’s speakership
BAGHDAD, April 2: The dominant Shia bloc in Iraq’s new parliament warned on Saturday it would block a Sunni choice for the post of speaker because of his alleged links with the former government, insisting instead on a compromise candidate. The United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which controls 146 seats in parliament, said it would veto Sunni MP Mishaan al Juburi from becoming speaker and told Sunnis who disagreed with any final choice to leave parliament.
Shia leaders were trying to avert a crisis one day before parliament was set to reconvene to choose a speaker and two deputies after they failed to do so in an acrimonious session five days ago. “We have agreed on the nominees and the candidate for the speakership has been endorsed by a majority of Sunnis,” insisted senior UIA member Jawad al Maliky, referring to Hajem al Hassani, a compromise choice for the job more acceptable to Shias.
“If there is a minority of Sunnis that does not agree with the choice, well, they are free to withdraw from the assembly.” The UIA had already on Thursday delivered a firm no to Mr Juburi, who was nominated at a meeting of 38 Sunni political and religious parties. But Mr Juburi has refused to withdraw his candidacy.
“I am merely a foot soldier and the faithful son of the Sunnis who is carrying out their wishes,” he said. Complicating matters for the Sunnis is the Shias’ refusal of some candidates because of their past links with the government of Saddam Hussein, including Mr Juburi.
“This is part of their paranoia and efforts to sully my image,” said Mr Juburi. The loose affiliation of Sunni parties, known as the National Front, on Saturday stood by Mr Juburi as their preferred candidate, said one of its principal members Adnan al Pachachi.
“We nominated Juburi and we told them he is our nominee. We will see what happens,” Mr Pachachi told reporters.—AFP
