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Shafaq News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq moves to fill top court vacancies after mass resignations
Shafaq News – Baghdad On Thursday, Iraqi political forces launched efforts to resolve the leadership crisis within the Federal Supreme Court following the recent mass resignation. A source told Shafaq News that a preliminary agreement has been reached to delay the selection of a new chief justice and the replacement of six judges over the controversial Khor Abdullah maritime ruling. 'It was agreed to relieve the chief justice from leadership duties while retaining him as a member, paving the way for nominating new candidates for the presidency and membership of the court,' the source revealed. The Federal Supreme Court plays a critical role in Iraq's democratic process, including certifying national election results. 'If the court crisis persists, it may delay elections altogether,' the source warned, noting that the new appointments are expected to come from the head of the Supreme Judicial Council and other legal authorities. Efforts are underway to hold a quorum-complete meeting of the State Administration Coalition in the coming weeks to finalize the appointments, he noted. Meanwhile, the head of parliament's Legal Committee, Rebwar Hadi Abdulrahman, clarified to Shafaq News that the process of appointing a new court president and members does not require a parliamentary vote. Under Article 3, the court comprises a president, a deputy, and seven full members selected from senior-ranking judges with no less than 15 years of experience. It also includes four reserve members, similarly qualified. Once candidates are selected, their names are forwarded to the President of the Republic, who must issue a formal decree within 15 days.


Arab Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Khor Abdullah case faces further delay
BAGHDAD, June 25: Iraq's Federal Supreme Court postponed on Wednesday its review of appeals submitted by Iraqi President Abdullatif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Sudani regarding the Khor Abdullah agreement between Kuwait and Baghdad, to July 30. According to the court's schedule, these two sessions will be held as postponed sessions and without pleadings. Iraq's President Abdullatif Rashid and Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani launched separate appeals against a Federal Supreme Court decision to render an agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway between Baghdad and Kuwait unconstitutional. In September of 2023, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court ruled that a bilateral agreement regulating navigation in the Khor Abdullah waterway was unconstitutional, a decision Kuwait said contained 'historical fallacies'.(KUNA)


Iraqi News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Crisis in Baghdad: mass resignations reported at Iraq's Federal Supreme Court amid power struggle
Baghdad ( – Iraq's highest judicial body, the Federal Supreme Court, is reportedly paralyzed by a mass resignation of its judges, a move that comes at an exceptionally sensitive time and threatens to create a constitutional vacuum ahead of crucial national decisions. For four days, political and judicial circles have been circulating reports that six regular members and three reserve members of the court have collectively resigned. Yet, an official and deafening silence has emanated from the court itself and all related state institutions. No resignation letter has been published, no names have been confirmed, and no official explanation has been offered, fueling intense speculation about the power struggles convulsing the top of Iraq's judiciary. The timing of this reported implosion is explosive. The Federal Court was on the verge of holding sessions on a highly sensitive political case regarding a challenge to the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. Furthermore, with parliamentary elections looming in the coming months, the court holds the ultimate power to ratify the final results, a constitutional necessity before a new parliament can convene. Without a functioning court, the legitimacy of the entire electoral process could be thrown into question. This crisis does not exist in a vacuum. The court has long been a lightning rod for controversy, with critics accusing it of making politically motivated decisions, such as its rulings on election laws and the contentious removal of former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi. These actions were often seen as aligning with the most powerful factions in government. Three dominant theories are circulating to explain the alleged resignations: Internal Dissent: A reported internal conflict between court members and the court's president, Jassim Al-Amiri, over his alleged attempts to impose his views on judicial decisions. A Judicial 'War of Wings': An escalating power struggle between President Al-Amiri and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zidan, who is widely seen as seeking to centralize judicial authority under his control. The resignations could be a decisive move in this battle for dominance. External Political Pressure: Intense pressure related to the Khor Abdullah agreement, which the court previously nullified but which the current government and its allies reportedly seek to revive. If confirmed, the mass resignation of nearly the entire Federal Supreme Court represents an 'unprecedented collapse' of the institution designed to be the final guarantor of Iraq's constitutional order. With critical legal and political deadlines approaching, the silence from Baghdad's judicial authorities only deepens the crisis, leaving the nation to wonder who stands to gain from the chaos.


Shafaq News
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
SOURCE: Iraq's Chief Justice still in office
Shafaq News/ Iraq's Federal Supreme Court Chief Justice Jassim al-Amiri has not resigned, a court source revealed on Monday, dismissing circulating rumors. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source clarified to Shafaq News that any resignation by al-Amiri would be officially announced, adding that no additional resignations have occurred beyond the nine judges who quit last week. On June 19, six permanent and three alternate judges stepped down just hours before the court was set to issue rulings on two key cases: the suspension of public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region and the contested Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait.


Shafaq News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's High Court crisis threatens November 2025 elections
Shafaq News/ A judicial crisis is unfolding in Iraq after nine members of the Federal Supreme Court—six full judges and three alternates—submitted collective resignations, citing political pressure. While these resignations have not yet been formally received by Chief Justice Jassim al-Amiri, the move has triggered political tremors and widespread concern about the fate of Iraq's upcoming elections. A Threat To Electoral Legitimacy The Federal Supreme Court plays a pivotal role in Iraq's electoral process, with sole authority to certify parliamentary election results. The court's paralysis due to mass resignations could derail the November 11, 2025, vote, extending the term of the current government and plunging the country into constitutional uncertainty. Political analyst Aed al-Hilali told Shafaq News the resignations may be linked to issues such as the Kurdistan Region's budget or the legal dispute over the Khor Abdullah maritime agreement with Kuwait. "There may also be internal, regional, or international pressure," he said, while ruling out any connection to Iraq's Election Law. An informed source told Shafaq News that the resignations reflect growing frustration with the management style of Chief Justice al-Amiri. The source warned that without swift resolution, the crisis could delay the elections indefinitely. A Fragile Democratic Framework Khaled Walid, spokesperson for the Nazil Akhudh Haqqi Movement (Going To Take My Right), said the resignations highlight long-standing political interference in the judiciary. He pointed to a recent letter from the chief justice to the Speaker of Parliament, requesting a meeting of national leaders—a request that was declined in the name of judicial independence. "The resignation of six primary and three alternate judges is unprecedented," Walid told Shafaq News. "It should prompt political parties to end their meddling, especially amid heightened regional tensions." He urged Iraq's executive, legislative, and judicial institutions to identify and expose the forces destabilizing the judiciary before making new appointments or pushing for reversals. MP Mohammed Anouz, a member of the Legal Committee, described the resignations as "a dangerous indicator" of institutional fragility. "This shows a lack of constitutional adherence and undermines democratic mechanisms within state institutions," he said. Anouz added, "Whether it's Khor Abdullah or Kurdistan salaries, these are merely pretexts. The root problem is systemic. Unless we address it courageously and comprehensively, this crisis will persist." Why The Court Matters Since Iraq's 2021 elections, the Federal Supreme Court has become a critical arbiter of electoral legitimacy. It dismissed early challenges from the Shiite Coordination Framework and upheld the election results, allowing government formation after a prolonged deadlock. One of its most consequential decisions came in 2010, when the court interpreted the term "largest bloc" to mean the coalition formed after the elections, not the one that won the most seats. This paved the way for Nouri al-Maliki to form a government, bypassing former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi. The court has also ruled on the legality of electing the president and removed prominent figures such as former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi and former Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari from office. "The Federal Supreme Court is the only authority empowered to ratify parliamentary election results," said Imad Jameel, head of the media team at the Independent High Electoral Commission. "If these resignations are accepted, the electoral process will be directly affected." Hazem al-Rudaini, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, echoed that concern. "Approving these resignations would derail the electoral process," he warned. With the November 2025 vote fast approaching, the political standoff at the top of Iraq's judiciary has injected fresh uncertainty into an already fragile system. If the court fails to regain full capacity, the country could face a legal vacuum—one that threatens to stall democratic transition and prolong the tenure of the current government.