Iraq’s parliament has cancelled its third session in a week as some MPs dispute the legitimacy of the Speaker to chair the meeting.
Saturday’s session was scrapped because “parliament couldn’t be secured” by security forces, said a statement from the office of the Speaker, Salim al-Juburi, whose position is under threat as some Iraqi lawmakers say they have enough votes to replace him.
MPs tried to hold their own meeting to replace him, but that too was eventually called off.
Protesters gathered in the streets of Baghdad as anger built over the political deadlock.
The cancellation came after chaotic scenes inside parliament earlier this week when MPs came to blows and argued over a plan to overhaul Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet by bringing in technocrats in a bid to check corruption.
Dozens of lawmakers have staged a sit-in inside the parliament building to protest what they say are attempts by powerful factions to maintain control of posts in government.
