Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi is set to appear before parliament on Thursday during a session that will tackle the candidates for the remaining vacant defense and interior posts in cabinet.
Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi said that the agenda will also be dedicated to voting on a new budget.
He did not, however, disclose the purpose for inviting Abdul Mahdi to the session.
An informed political source told Asharq Al-Awsat that lawmakers want to discuss a memo that was recently issued by the premiership that orders them to receive pre-approval before paying a visit to any ministry. They must also obtain similar approval from the head of any government agency before visiting it.
The source said that the memo has sparked anger among lawmakers, who interpreted it as an attempt to bind their legislative powers and “return the country back to dictatorship.”
He stressed: “Power lies in the hands of the people and parliament represents the people. Any lawmaker, therefore, has the right to practice his role without any preconditions from the government.”
National Axis coalition MP Abdullah al-Khraybit told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The memo from the premiership general secretariat cannot possibly pave the way for a sound relationship between parliament and the government.”
“Nowhere does the constitution or law bar a lawmaker, who represents the people, from paying a visit to any ministry or public institution,” he added.
“The release of such a memo signifies that either the side that issued it does not know the nature of its duties or those of the lawmaker, or it reveals an intention to obstruct parliament’s work under weak excuses,” he explained.
“Lawmakers do not visit ministries or state agencies for propaganda purposes, but they are responsible for the performance of these institutions,” stressed Khraybit.
