[1] After the assassination of Bakr Sidqi, the military leader of the 1936 coup d'état, Hikmat Sulayman's government resigned.
[2][3][4] Elections were held on 18 December 1937 amid public discontent with Sulayman's government and the military coup's leaders.
[1][2][5] Members of the former Sulayman government, leftists, pro-military candidates were defeated in the elections.
[2] The new parliament convened on 23 December 1937 and most members supported al-Midfai continuing as Prime Minister.
[5][6] Due to disagreement within the new government, Parliament was dissolved again on 22 February 1939 and fresh elections were held in March 1939.