Iraq’s New Parliament Elects Haybat Al-Halbousi as Speaker
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Iraq Faces Prolonged Government Formation Amid Shifting Political Landscape
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Baghdad – Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections have set the stage for a complex and potentially lengthy government formation process,complicated by the growing influence of Iran-backed factions and the uncertain future of the current prime minister.The process, governed by the *muhasasa* system, will likely take months, echoing past delays and raising concerns about political stability.
Last Updated: December 30, 2025, 01:46:11 AM PST
Understanding Iraq’s *Muhasasa* System
Iraq’s political system is structured around *muhasasa* (sectarian and ethnic power-sharing).This system, established after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, allocates key government positions – including the presidency, premiership, and parliamentary speaker – based on sectarian and ethnic affiliation. traditionally, the presidency goes to a Kurd, the premiership to a Shia, and the speakership to a Sunni. The Council on Foreign Relations provides a detailed overview of Iraq’s political system.
this arrangement, while intended to ensure representation, often leads to protracted negotiations and political deadlock, as each group seeks to maximize its influence and secure favorable positions. The recent elections are unfolding within this established framework.
Election Results and the path to a New government
The recent elections saw the Reconstruction and Development coalition (RDC), led by incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, win approximately 46 out of 329 seats. Reuters reported on the confirmation of these results on March 11, 2024. While a important showing, it doesn’t guarantee al-Sudani’s continued premiership.
The process unfolds as follows: the president, who must be a Kurd according to *muhasasa*, will nominate a candidate.The president then nominates the candidate of the largest Shia bloc – the Shia Coordination Framework (SCF) – to be named prime minister. The Federal Supreme Court (FSC) ratified the election results faster than usual, but this doesn’t necessarily translate to a swift government formation.
Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan urged lawmakers to adhere to the constitutional 90-day timeline for government formation, but past experience suggests this deadline will likely be missed. The 2021 government formation process took over 300 days, highlighting the inherent challenges.
The Uncertain Future of Mohammed shia al-Sudani
Al-Sudani’s position is particularly complex. Initially nominated by the SCF four years ago,he attempted to distance himself from the alliance by running an independent electoral list.His success in winning 46 seats suggested a degree of public support independent of customary party politics. Tho,