Iraqi Shi’ite Sadrist lawmakers resign from parliament

• Sadrist bloc in Iraq’s parliament resigns after its leader asks them to leave amid political stalemate.
• Moqtada al-Sadr’s party won most seats in parliament in October general election.
• Political differences hampered parliament’s ability to pick president and establish a cabinet.

The Sadrist bloc in Iraq’s parliament resigned on Sunday after its leader, Moqtada al-Sadr, a powerful Shi’ite Muslim cleric, requested them to leave amid a prolonged stalemate over forming a government.

Sadr’s party won the most seats in parliament in the October general election, bringing its total number to 73. However, political differences between parties have hampered the parliament’s ability to pick a president and establish a cabinet.
In a handwritten message, Sadr, a populist who has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of both Iran and the US, said his appeal for MPs to quit was “a sacrifice from me for the country and the people to rid them of the uncertain destiny.”

The resignations were quickly accepted by the parliamentary speaker.

Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi was seen signing the lawmakers’ resignations in a video broadcast by Iraq’s national news agency, INA.