1936–1937 Iraqi parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq between 10 December 1936 and 20 February 1937 to elect the members of Chamber of Deputies of Iraq.[1][2]

1936–1937 Iraqi parliamentary election

10 December 1936– 20 February 1937
All 108 seats in the Chamber of Deputies of Iraq 55 seats needed for a majority
Leader Bakr Sidqi Ja'far Abu al-Timman Party Pro-government (Sidqi's bloc) Popular Reform Last election – - Seats won 30 12 Seat change New New
PM before election Hikmat Sulayman Subsequent PM Hikmat Sulayman

Background

After the 1936 military coup led by Bakr Sidqi, disagreement between the parliament led by deposed Prime Minister Yasin al-Hashimi and the left-leaning military government presided over by Hikmat Sulayman, led to the dissolution of parliament on 31 October 1936.[2][3][1] The new elections started in December 1936 and were complete by 20 February 1937.

Results

A bloc supportive of coup leader Bakr Sidqi and members of the leftist Popular Reform Party won the elections and were the most prominent political groups in the new parliament.[3][1][4] Both groups supported Hikmat Sulayman's government. The new parliaments also included military officers, tribal leaders, nationalists and independent members. Later, the Popular Reform Party was accused of having communist ideology, and was dissolved.[4]

Aftermath

Bakr Sidqi and another coup leader were assassinated on 12 August 1937 in Mosul. After losing the support of the military, Sulayman resigned on 17 August 1937.[5] Parliament was dissolved on 26 August 1937 and fresh elections were held on 18 December 1937.

References

1. Al-Hassani, Abdul Razzaq. Modern History of Iraq, Vol 3.
2. Al-Hassani, Abdul Razzaq (1953). History of Iraqi Governments during the Monarchy, Vol 4. Sidon, Lebanon: Al-Irfan. pp. 221–241.
3. "كيف جرت الانتخابات النيابية في ظل انقلاب بكر صدقي؟". Almada. Archived from the original on 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
4. "من ذكريات نائب في العهد الملكي..ماذا كان يفعل برلمان الثلاثينيات". Algardenia. Archived from the original on 2018-12-27. Retrieved 2019-01-02.
5. "ازمة سياسية وسقوط وزارة الانقلاب سنة 1937". Almada. Archived from the original on 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2019-01-02.