Fears of ‘Constitutional Vacuum’ in Iraq

Children play in a park in Baghdad on Monday following Eid al-Fitr’s holiday. (AP)
Children play in a park in Baghdad on Monday following Eid al-Fitr’s holiday. (AP)
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Fears of ‘Constitutional Vacuum’ in Iraq

Children play in a park in Baghdad on Monday following Eid al-Fitr’s holiday. (AP)
Children play in a park in Baghdad on Monday following Eid al-Fitr’s holiday. (AP)

As the countdown starts to the end of Iraq's parliament term on June 30, fears that the country might enter into a state of constitutional vacuum arise, leading to chaos and opening the door to various possibilities.

In the meantime, various political parties rush towards the formation of the "largest bloc,” to stay in power for the next four years.

Iraq’s President’s Advisor Amir Kanani suggested that "violation of the constitution will take place instead of a constitutional vacuum as rumored.”

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the constitution refers to the existence of the authorities and the organization of its functions and powers.

“The absence of one of the authorities is a violation of this constitution, “including the disruption of the work of parliament or the termination of its work ahead of schedule, contrary to the constitutional mechanisms.”

Notably, since the end of parliamentary elections in May, the political movement in the country has dominated efforts to form the largest parliamentary bloc.

Iraqis, meanwhile, are waiting, but without enthusiasm, for the results of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's call for what he called a "comprehensive and responsible dialogue" following Eid al-Fitr’s holiday.

Head of State of Law Coalition Nouri al-Maliki joined Tuesday those seeking to form the "largest bloc" through what he called a comprehensive alliance of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds to form a government with a majority.

Maliki said in a statement, which was published by his office, that he fears Iraq would enter in a constitutional vacuum after June 30.

However, he said that “State of Law Coalition is working to form a comprehensive alliance of Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds to form Majority.”

“Those who believe in majority will be considered partners, and those who do not believe in majority can join the opposition in accordance with the mechanisms of democracy,” Maliki pointed out.



Egypt Says Israel-EU Agreement Has Not Increased Aid to Gaza

Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
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Egypt Says Israel-EU Agreement Has Not Increased Aid to Gaza

Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty arrives for a meeting of Palestinian and Israeli foreign ministers on the sidelines of the EU-Southern Neighborhood Ministerial Meeting at the EU Council in Brussels, Belgium, 14 July 2025. (EPA)

Egypt's foreign minister said on Monday that the flow of aid into Gaza has not increased despite an agreement last week between Israel and the European Union that should have had that result.

"Nothing has changed (on the ground)," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told reporters ahead of the EU-Middle East meeting in Brussels on Monday.

The EU's top diplomat said on Thursday that the bloc and Israel agreed to improve Gaza's humanitarian situation, including increasing the number of aid trucks and opening crossing points and aid routes.

Asked what steps Israel has taken, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar referred to an understanding with the EU but did not provide details on implementation.

Asked if there were improvements after the agreement, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi told reporters that the situation in Gaza remains "catastrophic".

"There is a real catastrophe happening in Gaza resulting from the continuation of the Israeli siege," he said.

Safadi said Israel allowed the entry of 40 to 50 trucks days ago from Jordan but that was "far from being sufficient" for the besieged enclave.

EU's foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said ahead of Monday's meeting that there have been some signs of progress on Gaza aid but not enough improvement on the ground.

Israel's continued military operations and blockade have left the entire population of 2.3 million people in Gaza facing acute food insecurity, with nearly half a million at risk of famine by the end of September, a joint United Nations report said last month.