Final results of the Iraqi elections announced; Shiites win 187 seats and the Coordination Framework is introduced as the largest faction

On Monday night, the Iraqi Independent High Election Commission announced the final results of the country's parliamentary elections, which were held in two stages on Sunday and Tuesday last week. According to the report, the turnout in the elections was more than 56 percent. At the same time, the Shia Coordination Framework also announced that it was able to form the largest faction in the new Iraqi parliament.

 

The High Election Commission announced that the "Reconstruction and Development" coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani came in first place with 46 seats. The new Iraqi parliament consists of 329 seats.

 

According to the final results, the "Advancement" Party led by Mohammed Al-Halbousi came in second with 36 seats, and the "State of Law" coalition led by Nouri Al-Maliki came in third with 29 seats. The "Al-Sadiqun" Party led by Qais Al-Khazali won 28 seats, and the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Massoud Barzani won 27 seats.

 

In total, Shiite coalitions and lists won 187 seats, Sunnis 77 seats, Kurds 56 seats, and special quotas (quotas) 9 seats. The commission also announced that protesting candidates will be able to register objections and complaints for three days starting Tuesday.

 

Announcement of the formation of a larger faction

 

At the same time as the final results were announced, the Coordination Framework coalition announced after a meeting with Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, leader of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition and current Prime Minister of Iraq, that the coalition would be officially introduced as the largest parliamentary faction in accordance with legal and constitutional procedures.

 

The Coordination Framework Statement emphasized that the election schedule must be held within the legal timeframe and that compliance with legal procedures guarantees an orderly transfer of power and respect for the will of the voters. The coalition also approved the formation of two leadership committees: one to examine national issues and develop a common vision for governing the country, and the other to evaluate candidates for the post of prime minister based on professional and national criteria.

 

Steps in forming a new government

 

According to the Iraqi constitution, the process for forming a new government for the sixth term of parliament is as follows:

 

Calling for a session: President Abdul Latif Rashid must call the parliament to hold its first session within 15 days of the Supreme Court’s approval of the election results.

 

The first session: chaired by the oldest member, during which the speaker of parliament ​​usually a Sunni and two deputies are elected by majority vote.

 

Election of the president: The parliament then elects the president, usually from among Kurdish candidates. His election requires a two-thirds majority of the representatives, and if this is not achieved, the competition between the two top candidates continues, and the person who receives the most votes becomes the president.

 

Prime Minister's task: The president appoints the candidate of the largest faction - usually from the Shiite movement - to form a government. The prime minister has 30 days to present a proposed cabinet.

 

If the prime minister fails: The president can nominate another person to form a government within 15 days.

 

Vote of confidence: The prime minister presents the government's program and list of ministers to the parliament, and if it receives a majority vote, the new government will begin work.