Iraqi politics, and particularly the country’s Sunni political landscape, have recently been rocked by a major earthquake—namely the ouster of former parliament speaker Mohammed Al-Halbousi (2018-23). The Federal Supreme Court in mid-November issued a “final and unappealable” ruling to end the speakership of the top Sunni politician, who heads the Takaddum Front. The ruling, which some observers have denounced as highly politicized, came in response to a complaint filed by another Sunni lawmaker, Laith Al-Dulaimi.

While Halbousi has slammed his ouster as “unconstitutional,” the move has been lauded by his rivals—including Sunni foes. Figures like Osama Al-Nujaifi, the head of the Muttahidoon Coalition, and former finance minister Rafi Al-Issawi (2010-13), have been among those who have hailed the termination of Halbousi’s speakership.

The shift comes amid the emergence of new political forces which are contesting the Dec. 18 provincial elections. These groups are challenging the status quo of Sunni politics in Iraq, which has been in the grip of larger...