How Many Parliamentary Seats Have Political Groups Secured in Iraq?
Mashregh News Agency, International Desk: With the announcement of Iraq’s parliamentary election final results by the Independent High Electoral Commission yesterday, it became clear how many seats each victorious coalition secured. According to these results, the current Iraqi Prime Minister’s coalition is set to become the largest faction in parliament.
Al-Sudani Coalition Leads Parliamentary Elections
The Al-Abadi and Advancement Coalition, lead by Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, Iraq’s current Prime Minister, won 46 seats out of 329 in parliament, securing a parliamentary majority.
Recently, the Coordination Framework for Shiite groups issued a statement declaring itself “the largest faction in the new Iraqi parliament” and announced plans to put forward a candidate for prime minister in the upcoming term.
The coalition also emphasized that “comprehensive national cooperation” is essential for overcoming forthcoming challenges and strengthening political stability in Iraq.
Al-Halbousi’s Taqaddum Party and Maliki Coalition Rank Second and Third
The Taqaddum Party, led by Mohammed Al-Halbousi, claimed second place with 36 seats. Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition came third with 29 seats.
Sadiqoun Movement and Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party
The Sadiqoun Movement under Qais Khazali secured 28 seats. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), headed by Masoud Barzani, won 27 seats.
Shiite coalitions and lists secured 187 seats; Sunni groups took 77; Kurdish parties earned 56; while nine reserved quota seats were assigned for specific minorities.
Voter turnout was reported at over 56 percent.It is indeed noteworthy that as per Iraqi parliamentary norms, the largest parliamentary faction holds the right to select key leadership posts including president of Iraq’s presidency council and also speaker of parliament along with deputies-and can nominate it’s preferred candidate for prime minister.
Next Steps Following Final Election Results
Legal expert Hamid al-Sayegh told Al Jazeera that post-election state-building procedures fall into four main stages:
- First: Filing objections followed by verification from Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court;
- Second: The president summons newly elected parliament to hold its inaugural session during which it elects a speaker along with two deputies;
- Third: Electing a new president who then tasks-mandates-the leader of biggest faction to select government ministers;
- Fourth:A commencement of negotiations among victorious factions toward forming a new government.
Sayegh clarified that announced election outcomes are provisional pending legal appeals handled by a three-judge panel. Candidates have three days to submit objections; afterward courts are allotted ten days to resolve complaints before confirming final official results.
Following confirmation,the president calls forth freshly convened parliament within fifteen days. in its first sitting,the assembly elects chairman plus two deputies through vote requiring half plus one majority.The next steprequires presidential election within thirty days needing two-thirds majority(out of entire members),a position traditionally heldby Kurds.If consensus lacks,a runoff follows accordingto constitutional procedure.Flowingly,president designates within fifteen calendar daysthe prime minister nominee responsible forbuldingcabinetper Article76of constitution.Prime ministershipis TraditionallyaShiitestakeholder position enforcedconstitutional custom.Given absenceofabsolute majorityamongparties,biggestcoalitionordynamicallygrownblockenagesallied partnersachievemajority.Theprime minister-designatehas30daysfullperiod assemble cabinet propose ministers obtain confidencevoteParliamentaccordingly.
Political analyst Mohammed Awad指出，总统选举须当选议会成员四分之三多数（即220名议员），而总理和议会主席的选择则仅需相对多数（半数加一票）。
Might The Scenario From The 2021 Elections Repeat?
Awad believes complexities surrounding this round could again delay formation process like in 2021 due to tight competition between Coordination framework forces amid closely matched voting shares.This heightens prospectsfor repeating past gridlockpost-election appointmentstalesthat hamper swiftgovernmentformation.He added international stakeholders exert significant influence on trajectoryofaheadpolitical agreements notably related topm appointmenttherefore evolving outlook anticipatestepaftermay involve turbulenceandnegotiationchallenges priorfinalinvestitureprocess.
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