The story: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has ruled to end the speakership of top Sunni politician Mohammed Al-Halbousi. The prominent lawmaker has slammed the decision as “unconstitutional.” The ruling has been interpreted as effectively putting an end to Halbousi’s political career, and reflecting the court’s increasing politicization. The dramatic development comes ahead of Iraq’s provincial polls next month, and amid speculations that Muqtada Al-Sadr—a former Shiite ally of Halbousi—may return to the political stage.

The coverage: The Federal Supreme Court’s ruling was issued on Nov. 14, and came in response to a complaint lodged by Sunni lawmaker Laith Al-Dulaimi—a former member of Halbousi’s Takaddum Front. The court has notably referred to its decision as “final and unappealable.”

• In Apr. 2022, Halbousi removed Dulaimi from Takaddum over alleged “nonadherence” with the bloc’s directives. The following month, Halbousi said he had accepted Dulaimi's resignation from the parliament. This is while Dulaimi insisted that...