Iraqi court ruling hands setback to PM’s reforms

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s Supreme Court has invalidated a raucous parliament session in which six Cabinet nominees were approved, in a setback for Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s reform efforts.

Judiciary spokesman Abdul-Sattar Bayrkdar says Tuesday’s ruling stipulates that the April 26 session was invalid. He did not provide further details. The ministers had yet to be sworn in.

The court also invalidated an April 14 session in which lawmakers voted to sack Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri, saying there was no quorum. Al-Jabouri has remained in his post.

Al-Abadi proposed a sweeping reform package in August, but has made little progress in implementing it because of pushback from entrenched political blocs.