Iraq’s latest parliamentary election has placed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and his coalition in the lead, securing 46 seats according to the final results released by the election commission. Although his bloc holds the highest number of seats, forming a new government may still take months as political groups begin complex negotiations to build a workable majority.
The election recorded a 56 percent turnout, reflecting a moderate level of public engagement. Alongside Sudani’s coalition, the Taqaddum Party won 27 seats, drawing much of its support from Iraq’s western and northern regions. Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law alliance secured 29 seats, while the Kurdistan Democratic Party followed closely with 26 seats. These results underscore a highly competitive political landscape, with no single party holding enough power to form a government on its own.
The next administration will face major challenges. It must manage the sensitive relationship between the United States and Iranian influence in Iraq, while also dealing with numerous armed groups aligned with Iran. Many of these groups answer more to their own leadership than to the Iraqi state, creating obstacles for stability and governance.
Parties within the ruling alliance have already declared themselves the largest parliamentary bloc and expressed readiness to nominate the next prime minister. While Sudani aims for a second term, many young Iraqis remain disillusioned, believing the election simply allows established parties to divide the country’s oil wealth without meaningful reform.
