Mashhadani launches integrity probe into Sudani government

Newly elected Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani has made his first significant move as head of the legislative branch by directing a comprehensive assessment of the integrity and conduct of the Sudani government. This directive, issued on November 19, marks the most serious scrutiny of PM Sudani’s administration since it came to power two years ago.

Mashhadani, elected speaker on November 2, has tasked the parliamentary Integrity Committee with evaluating administrative mismanagement, corruption, and the misuse of public funds. In his directive, he emphasized the urgency of the matter and outlined the following priorities:

• A detailed report on the integrity of ministries, independent bodies, and provincial administrations.

• Full utilization of all parliamentary oversight tools to ensure the assessment’s success.

• Coordination with the Integrity Commission and the Federal Board of Supreme Audit (FBSA) to gather necessary information.

The speaker has set a tight deadline for the report, instructing the Integrity Committee to deliver its findings by January 15, 2025. He further stated that the report will be publicly presented during an open session of parliament.

A new era of parliamentary scrutiny

This directive marks a shift in Iraq’s political dynamics, as the Sudani government has faced relatively little scrutiny over corruption since taking office. This lack of oversight is largely due to the vested interests of Iraq’s leading political blocs, which played critical roles in bringing Sudani to power. Many of these groups had both political and economic stakes in ensuring the government’s stability and success.