Baghdad – Iraq’s parliament faces a quorum crisis as the debate over ambassadorial nominees intensifies. Lawmakers warned they would intentionally break the quorum if the council brings the contentious list to a vote today.
Ibtisam Al-Hilali, a lawmaker from the Coordinating Framework, sharply criticized the ambassadorial nominees. She said many candidates lack competence and maintain strong political affiliations. Al-Hilali also stressed that the nominations violate the Foreign Service Law, as parliament members have not received the candidates’ detailed resumes.
Al-Hilali asked, “How can council members vote on names they do not know, when they cannot verify experience or competence?” Her question reflects growing frustration with the transparency of the nomination process.
Similarly, Haider Al-Salami, a member of the parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee, said lawmakers remain largely unfamiliar with the candidates. “These names and the ambassadorial nominees are unknown to us,” he stated. His comment highlights the widening gap between parliament and the nomination process.
The debate over the list has already disrupted parliamentary sessions. On Monday, leadership proposed a vote on the ambassadorial list, but lawmakers could not reach a quorum. Consequently, leaders halted the session and left the issue unresolved. However, the parliamentary media office added the vote to today’s agenda, keeping tensions high.
Political analysts warn that failing to resolve the quorum issue could stall Iraq’s diplomatic appointments and affect international relations. They note that repeated disputes over ambassadorial nominees reflect deeper political divisions within the ruling coalition.
Other lawmakers argue that rushing the vote could undermine both parliamentary credibility and Iraq’s diplomatic service standards. They call for full transparency, including candidate profiles and qualifications, before any vote.
As today’s session approaches, the atmosphere remains tense. Lawmakers remain divided, and achieving a quorum seems uncertain. Observers expect heated debates as members push for competence and transparency in ambassadorial appointments.
The parliament must now make a critical decision: proceed with the vote on the controversial ambassadorial nominees or delay it until concerns receive full attention. The outcome will set a precedent for Iraq’s future diplomatic nominations.
