Iraq - January 2026

On 26 January, the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court issued a decision clarifying the scope of Parliament’s oversight powers, following a challenge concerning whether parliamentary investigative committees could investigate provincial institutions and local executive officials. The ruling affirms Parliament’s constitutional authority to establish investigative committees, noting that the committees may obtain information and investigate the performance of government institutions, including provincial executive authorities. The ruling therefore strengthens Parliament’s ability to scrutinize executive institutions at both the national and provincial levels and provides a clearer legal basis for investigating alleged administrative failures or irregularities.

Sources: Library of Congress, Annabaa