PNN – Not long after Iraq’s sixth parliamentary elections were held, with a turnout of more than 56 percent, and under sanctions from some factions, the country has entered a crucial phase for forming a government, which analysts describe as complicated and possibly lengthy.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, said that he will meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad al-Shi’a al-Sudani after his attendance at a conference at the American University of Duhok, and discuss issues related to the elections.
Consultation between the Head of the Judicial Council and the Iraqi Foreign Minister on the Parliamentary Elections
Faiq Zeidan, the head of the Supreme Judicial Council, and Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, in a meeting, stressed the importance of accelerating the formation of a new parliament and cabinet in Iraq.
During this meeting, the importance of accelerating the formation of the parliament and cabinet in accordance with the constitution was discussed, considering the results of the recent parliamentary elections.
Formation of a new Iraqi government focused on avoiding political deadlock and in an atmosphere free of tension
As Iraq enters a crucial post-election phase, political analysts report the beginning of complex consultations to form a “larger faction,” while all parties emphasize the need to avoid political deadlock.
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Examining the results of the Iraqi elections; how are the parliamentary seats distributed?
According to a Middle East News report, after passing the threshold of holding the House of Representatives elections, Iraq has now entered a turbulent valley of political negotiations, as the forces that won the elections, in an early political movement, are designing coalitions that will shape the structure of the future government.
Of course, political observers believe that although the path to forming a cabinet is not smooth, this time the consultations are proceeding in a more peaceful and calm atmosphere, and this atmosphere actually reflects the general desire and desire of various parties for political balance and stability in the country.
Forming a larger faction is the key to the power game.
The formation of a larger faction in the House of Representatives is considered the political basis and axis of this stage because, according to the explicit text of Article 76 of the Constitution, only this faction has the necessary legal authority to nominate a candidate for the prime minister’s seat.
Kifah Mahmoud, a renowned Iraqi political analyst, emphasizes that due to the dispersion of opinions and differences among the main groups, a “larger faction” will not be formed anytime soon, and its realization depends on a complex puzzle of tripartite understandings between the Shia, Sunni, and Iraqi Kurdish components.
Ali Habib, another political analyst, believes that the current stage, as a result of a delicate balance between the Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish components, has created a wider space for consultation and understanding. He considers the size of the coalitions to be the most important variable in determining which side will form the government, and considers agreement among the major forces to be the key to unlocking the triple presidency.
Kurds and Sunnis try to strengthen their positions and avoid conflict
Ammar al-Azzawi, head of the Yarmouk Center for Strategic Studies, believes that the larger faction will only be determined through formal coalitions within the House of Representatives. He emphasizes that Sunni and Kurdish forces will seek to strengthen their position in the future government during the negotiations, through transparent political understandings that protect their interests.
Political agreement, a deep-rooted policy for establishing stability
Mohammad Salah, another political analyst, believes that the recent elections have created numerous political parties and movements with an effective presence in the upcoming parliamentary scene, which is an indication of the dynamism of the political arena and the growth of voter awareness.
He stated that it is still too early to determine the final form of coalitions or the characteristics of the future government, but past experiences and the political custom that has been formed in successive periods show that the approach of agreement between the main forces will be the governing framework for determining priorities and distributing roles.
Mohamed Salah emphasizes that the victorious factions bear a great national responsibility in the next stage, which requires flexibility, respect for the will of the voters, and adherence to the constitutional path to maintain the country’s sovereignty and ensure a smooth and transparent transfer of power.
On the other hand, Zainab Al-Saadi, an expert and specialist in the field of law, stated: The current electoral processes are in line with the constitutional framework, as the constitution has given the “Federal Supreme Court” the authority to confirm the final results of the House of Representatives elections.
Abdul Latif Rashid likely to run again; speculation about Bafel Talabani’s entry into the presidency
A source close to Abdul Latif Rashid said that the Iraqi president is likely to run for another term, a topic that has been discussed at the same time as the name of Bafel Talabani has been raised as a serious candidate for the presidency.
According to the Iraqi constitution, there are several stages to forming a government:
First stage
The Federal Court confirms the final results of the parliamentary elections.
Second stage
The President’s invitation to convene the first session of the new parliament and elect the presidium. This session should not be delayed more than 15 days after the President’s invitation. Now, however, it is said that the first session will be postponed until a final agreement on the posts is reached.
Third stage
After holding the first session and electing the presidency, the Iraqi House of Representatives must elect a new president within 30 days by a two-thirds vote of its members, i.e. 220 votes out of a total of 329 seats (according to Article 72 of the Constitution).
If none of the candidates obtains the required two-thirds vote in the first round, then, according to Article 70 of the Constitution, in the second round, whichever candidate receives the most votes will become president.
Forth stage
Dialogue between the winning parties in the election, introduction of the cabinet of ministers, and swearing in of the new government before parliament.