Officials and legal experts made light of fears over the fate of political life in Iraq after the tenure of parliament ended on Saturday, amid fears of a so-called “vacuum” in the legislative authority.
Minister of Migration and Displacement Jassem al-Jaff told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current government will continue operating with full jurisdiction, except when it comes for decisions that need parliament’s approval.
Asked about the constitutional vacuum in wake of the end of parliament’s term, he said: “There is no such thing as constitutional vacuum. This is not so much a legal term as it is a political one.”
“All that will happen is a temporary absence of the legislative authority,” he added.
Iraq had experienced such situations before.
In 2010, the government of then Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki spent eight months without an acting parliament.
In 2014, a similar absence lasted three months until a government headed by PM Haidar al-Abadi was formed.
Legal expert Tareq al-Harb told Asharq Al-Awsat that the current government will continue to operate normally in all fields.
Several sides expressed, however, their concerns over the impending political impasse, calling for protests to confront what they described as “constitutional vacuum” that could pave the way for a military coup or formation of an emergency government.
The Interior Ministry countered these stances, saying that it opposes any rallies that do not obtain official permits.
