Iraqis file case to break political deadlock

[maddezmom]

Source: AFP

Iraqis file case to break political deadlock
(AFP) – 49 minutes ago

BAGHDAD — A dozen civic groups launched an audacious court action on Monday in a bid to break Iraq's deadlock over the formation of a new government, five months after a general election.

The legal appeal to Iraq's Federal Supreme Court is the latest sign of growing popular discontent with political elites in a violence-wracked country where basic services and infrastructure remain weak and dilapidated.

The charities and pressure groups brought the case against caretaker parliament speaker Fuad Massum, accusing him of violating the constitution by leaving the Iraqi Council of Representatives' first session open, with no progress on the election of a new speaker.

That, they allege, has blocked the election of a new national president and prime minister.

"We call on the Federal Court to require the defendant ... to end the open session as it violates the constitution ... or call on the Federal Court to dissolve the Council of Representatives and carry out new elections," the groups said in a news release.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jpW1IU6cGjDk9dSY28LMafN3Cxkw