Iraqi parliament [official website] members voted on Monday to prevent Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi [official website] from unilaterally passing important reforms without parliament’s approval. One anonymous member of parliament stated [Reuters report] that this resolution would end the prime minister’s absolute authority. The move comes in response to the prime minister dismissing [DW report] his vice presidents and deputy prime ministers and cutting government salaries after public protests, which the chamber considered a violation of the constitution. The prime minister now must seek parliament’s approval before implementing new measures.

Iraq has faced significant challenges in recent years with both providing basic infrastructure and fighting militant groups. In August the Iraq Supreme Judicial Council rejected calls from protesters for the resignation of the country’s most senior Supreme Court judge. Also in August the Iraqi Parliament also unanimously approved [JURIST report] Abadi’s reform plan [statement] to cut spending and eliminate many top political positions. The reform plan seeks to restart a corruption investigation program. Iraq’s cabinet approved the proposal [JURIST report] earlier that week, though it faced some criticism. In 2013 the Iraq parliament passed a law [Reuters report] restricting the prime minister, parliament speaker and president to two four-year terms.