Iraq's parliament elected Haibet Al-Halbousi as its new speaker with 208 votes out of 309 attending legislators, following political deadlock. Al-Halbousi, from the Takadum party, faces significant challenges including a debated bill on the Popular Mobilization Units, mounting public debt, and widespread corruption. The election occurred after November parliamentary elections failed to produce a decisive majority, highlighting Iraq's ongoing political and financial hurdles.