Iraqi parliament fails to vote on fate of its speaker

Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr gather chant slogans during a sit-in at Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April 18, 2016. More followers joined a rally in central Baghdad to press lawmakers to vote on a Cabinet shakeup proposed by the prime minister amid a simmering political crisis that could jeopardize the country's fight against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Ziad Hammad) (The Associated Press)

Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr participate in a sit-in at Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, April 18, 2016. More followers joined a rally in central Baghdad to press lawmakers to vote on a Cabinet shakeup proposed by the prime minister amid a simmering political crisis that could jeopardize the country's fight against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Ziad Hammad) (The Associated Press)

Iraqi lawmakers have failed to vote on whether they will oust or keep the incumbent parliament speaker, prolonging the country's simmering political crisis.

Shiite lawmaker, Hassan Salim, says after the session started on Tuesday, disagreement erupted about who should run it, which in turn prompted major political blocs to walk out.

He says the next session will be held on Thursday.

Since last week, dozens of lawmakers have staged a sit-in inside the parliament, demanding the country's top political leadership — Parliament Speaker, Prime Minister and the President — step down following a Cabinet reshuffle vote delay.

Influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has warned lawmakers to vote on a new government or "the people will decide." Hundreds of his followers have rallied in Baghdad to press the legislators to vote.