Sudani, Talabani discuss post-election steps

BAGHDAD — With post-election timelines in focus, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held talks Saturday with Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani on political coordination and government priorities.

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office, the meeting reviewed “the country’s overall situation across various fields,” along with “the importance of supporting reconstruction and development projects being implemented by the government and strengthening stability in a way that serves the people across all parts of the country.”

The statement said the two sides stressed “the need to accelerate the completion of post-election requirements, particularly following the ratification of the election results,” and emphasized that all political forces should work toward “fulfilling the outcomes of the electoral process within the announced constitutional timelines.”

The Iraqi President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid issued a republican decree on Dec. 16 calling the newly elected Council of Representatives to convene its first session on Dec. 29, after the Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results of the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections. Under the decree, the opening session will be chaired by the oldest member of parliament, in line with constitutional requirements.

The Supreme Judicial Council has said the constitutional timetable began on Dec. 14, the date the election results were certified, requiring parliament to elect a speaker and two deputies within 15 days.

Iraq’s Nov. 11 elections filled all 329 parliamentary seats. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani won 46 seats, short of a majority, leaving the formation of the next government dependent on negotiations and alliances among multiple political blocs.

Full statement:

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received Patriotic Union of Kurdistan leader Bafel Talabani on Saturday.

During the meeting, the two discussed the country’s overall situation across various fields, the importance of supporting reconstruction and development projects being implemented by the government, and strengthening stability in a way that serves the people across all parts of the country.

The meeting stressed the need to accelerate the completion of post-election requirements, particularly following the ratification of the election results, and for all political forces to work toward fulfilling the outcomes of the electoral process within the announced constitutional timelines.

Prime Minister’s Media Office

Dec. 20, 2025