Al-Mandalawi : 2005 constitution is flexible and subject to amendment

Baghdad - INA 
Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, the acting speaker of the house of representatives confirmed ,on Wednesday ,that the 2005 constitution is flexible and subject to amendment, pointing out that the Constitution is a human product that accepts opinion and development.

The media office of the First Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives stated in a statement, received by the Iraqi News Agency, (INA): that " Al-Mandalawi sponsored today a dialogue session and a workshop under the slogan (constitutional amendments and the constitutional institutions structure in the Iraqi parliamentary system), which was established by his office in cooperation with the European Foundation for cooperation and development, in the presence of a number of MP’s and advisers”.

Al-Mandalawi stressed that "The view of the Constitution (2005) in force as rigid is not accurate, it is flexible and can be amended if there is political will based on respect the highest interests and the rights of all and serious dialogue . Iraqi legislator and elite followed a gradual approach in making amendments through multiple amendments packages with each electoral occasion."

Al-Mandalawi explained that "the Constitution is a human product that accepts opinion and development whenever the legislative elite considers amending the supreme law, which is the point of salvation from dictatorship and the starting of occupier rejection ,that Iraqis should have their say in building the state".

Al-Mandalawi pointed out that "the purpose of the workshop holding is, it will constitute a real start to develop a moderate and acceptable methodology for amending the Constitution, based on: the realistic need to make constitutional amendments, especially after five parliamentary sessions have passed since the application, and the gradual and phased in making the required amendments, reassuring all partners to preserve the rights of the whole people, as well as the involvement of conscious elite and specialists in the preparation of draft amendments, and conscious media investment in publish the culture of constitutional amendment and its necessities".

Al-Mandalawi expressed the hope that "everyone will contribute constructive proposals and ideas commensurate with the conditions and needs of our dear country".