Lack of quorum fails to elect new president in Iraq

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On Saturday, Iraqi lawmakers failed to elect a new president for Iraq because there was a lack of quorum in the parliament, where the minimum number of members to agree on a decision was not present.

The Iraqi parliament released a final list consisting of 40 candidates for the presidency, which is a ceremonial role that is reserved for the Kurdish minority in Iraq. 

Barham Saleh, the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), competes against Rebar Ahmed, who is from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), a rival of the PUK. 

However, 202 of the house's 329 members showed up to the latest vote, holding up the vote for the second time since February which increases the political uncertainty in the country. 

An anonymous official from the parliament told AFP that there will be a new session rescheduled for this Wednesday. 

The wedge in Iraq's political rifts deepens as this unfolds; the postponement of the election session worsens the situation as it is the president's responsibility to formally name a prime minister - the candidate must be backed by the majority of the parliament. 

On February 13, Iraq's supreme court canceled a presidential bid for Hoshyar Zebari, a KDP-supported politician after corruption charges against him surfaced. 

The Secretary-General of Asa'ib Ahl Al-Haq, Qais Khazali, commented on the matter saying that the coordinating framework is on the path of dialogue and understanding and does not accept breaking wills," adding that "today is a historic and pivotal moment in redirecting the political process to its right path."