Iraq sets December 29 for first session of newly elected parliament

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s president issued a decree Tuesday calling the new Council of Representatives into its first session on Dec. 29, in the latest formal step after the Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections.

The decree scheduled the opening session for Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, and said it will be chaired by the oldest member of parliament, as required by the constitution. It said the order takes effect from the date of issuance and will be published in the official gazette.

The move comes as political blocs begin the constitutional process of forming the next government. Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council said the timetable begins from Dec. 14, the date the Federal Supreme Court certified the election results, and requires the new parliament to elect its speaker and two deputies within 15 days, setting Dec. 29 as the deadline.

Iraq held parliamentary elections on Nov. 11 to fill all 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. Final results showed the Reconstruction and Development Coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani won 46 seats, but no party or coalition secured a majority, meaning government formation will depend on negotiations among multiple blocs.