BAGHDAD: Iraq’s top court ruled Wednesday that it does not have the legal power to dissolve parliament, a much-anticipated decision that raises the stakes in the country’s unprecedented 11-month political crisis.
The ruling by the Supreme Federal Court states it does not have the authority under Iraq’s constitution to dissolve the legislature, which was a key demand from influential Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Sadr’s bloc won most votes in parliamentary elections last October but he has been unable to form a majority government. His followers stormed the parliament in late July to prevent their rivals from Iran-backed Shiite groups from forming the government.
With ensuing rallies, clashes with security forces, counter-rallies and a sit-in outside parliament, the government formation process has stalled.
Sadr has been calling for the dissolution of parliament and early elections and has been locked in a power struggle with his Iran-backed rivals since the vote.
The decision by the court, which had delayed ruling on Sadr’s demands amid concerns over more unrest, effectively rejects the cleric’s demand and further deepens the stalemate between him and his rivals. –Agencies
