BAGHDAD — Iraq’s top court ruled Wednesday that it does not have the legal right to dissolve parliament, a much anticipated decision that raises the stakes in the country’s unprecedented 11-month political crisis.
The ruling by the Supreme Federal Court states the court does not have the authority under Iraq’s constitution to dissolve the legislature, which was a key demand by influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Al-Sadr’s bloc won most votes in parliamentary elections in October 2021 but he has been unable to form a majority government. His followers stormed the parliament in late July to prevent their rivals from Iran-backed Shiite groups from forming the government.
With ensuing rallies, clashes with security forces, counter-rallies and a sit-in outside parliament, the government formation process has stalled.