5 issues on the post-Ramadhan agenda

With the Eid festivities behind us, Iraqi politics is gradually picking up again. Here are five pressing issues on the political agenda:

1) Election of a New Parliament Speaker

Iraq’s Sunni factions are growing increasingly frustrated due to the delay in convening a session to elect a new parliament speaker. With each passing day, Sunni parties are losing control over the legislative agenda. Both Halbusi and Khanjar are adamant about ensuring the success of their preferred candidates, leading to a lack of consensus within the Coordination Framework on whom to support.

2) Ending the Coalition Mandate

Upon PM Sudani's return from Washington DC, he is likely to face pressure from Shia factions to finalize the end of the Coalition mandate. While Sudani has been given breathing space to conduct his meetings in the US without criticism from Resistance factions, he will be expected to present a clear timeline for ending the Coalition upon his return. Speaking at the Sulaimani Forum today, Ammar Al-Hakim asserted broad agreement that the anti-ISIS Coalition's mission is now over, and a transition towards bilateral security partnerships should begin.