An expenses scandal erupted in Iraq on Friday after religious leaders hit out at how MPs have secured themselves lavish perks while failing to ensure the nation's general election goes ahead.
They said parliamentarians had approved legislation guaranteeing diplomatic passports for them and their families, as well as land and generous salaries and pensions, instead of concentrating on passing a stalled electoral bill.
"We have a big question mark towards members of parliament who vote with unanimity on laws that serve their own interests," said Sadr al-Din al-Qubanji, a prominent cleric in the holy city of Najaf who is close to Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Iraqi Islamic Council, Iraq's biggest Shiite party.
"Why is there not such unanimity on the election law?" Qubanji added, referring to legislation designed to regulate national polls planned for January 16, which could yet be delayed due to parliamentary stalemate.
Iraq's presidential council, which normally rubber stamps legislation, earlier this week said it twice opposed moves by MPs to secure the perks but had been powerless to stop the law from passing at its third reading.
Under the law, an MP will have a monthly budget of around 25,500 dollars (17,230 euros) encompassing a salary of 8,450 dollars and allowances for up to 30 staff, primarily security.
They would receive 80 percent of their MP salary as a pension for 10 years after they retire, as well as a plot of land of up 600 square metres, Baha al-Araji, said a Sadrist MP and chair of the parliamentary committee responsible for shaping legislation.
In addition they will not have to repay a one-off loan for up to 60,000 dollars to buy vehicles including armoured cars. They were eligible to the money under a law passed at the height of the country's sectarian insurgency.
The presidential council took the unusual step of distancing itself from the legislation in response to vituperative press comment over the numerous benefits MPs had discussed and approved during closed door sessions.
Under Iraq's constitution, the council can block legislation twice but MPs are then free to approve it if there is at least 60 percent support.
Meanwhile, in the nearby holy city of Karbala, an aide to Grand Ayatollah Ali Husseini al-Sistani, Iraq's top Shiite cleric, also criticised parliamentarians' actions.
"There are a large number of MPs voting for their own diplomatic privileges," Ahmed al-Safi said.
"When someone acts that way it is difficult to preserve the interests of his own country."
The head of the Iraqi electoral commission, Faraj al-Haidari, said on Thursday it is now too late to organise a general election for January 16 after repeated delays by MPs in adopting the electoral law.
The final word on the timing of the poll rests with parliament, which meets again on Saturday, but Haidari's comments are likely to put pressure on MPs to push the date back towards the constitutional deadline of January 31.
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