Faleh al-Fayyadh in meeting with Khamis Al-Khanjar to discuss government formation

BAGHDAD — Popular Mobilization Forces Chairman Faleh al-Fayyadh met Tuesday with Khamis al-Khanjar, head of the Al-Siyada party, as political blocs intensified negotiations to form Iraq’s next government following the Nov. 11 parliamentary elections.

According to a statement from the Al-Siyada party, the meeting took place in Baghdad and focused on “developments in the national political scene and the constitutional entitlements related to completing the formation of the new government.”

The statement said the two sides emphasized the need to adhere to constitutional procedures and legal deadlines to ensure political stability and accelerate the government formation process. They also stressed that the next government should be based on a “genuine national partnership” capable of responding to Iraqis’ aspirations and prioritizing solutions to legal, economic and service-related challenges, while reinforcing trust between the state and society.

Fayyadh was a senior figure within the Reconstruction and Development Coalition’s electoral list, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. It emerged as the largest single bloc in the elections but fell well short of a parliamentary majority. The coalition won 46 seats, leaving government formation dependent on negotiations and alliances among multiple political forces.

Iraq’s Nov. 11 elections filled all 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. The Federal Supreme Court ratified the final results earlier this month, formally triggering the constitutional timetable for forming the next government.

President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid issued a republican decree on Dec. 16 calling the newly elected parliament to convene its first session on Dec. 29. Under the decree, the opening session will be chaired by the oldest member of parliament, in line with constitutional requirements.

Political blocs must elect a speaker and two deputies within 15 days of the first session, after which parliament is required to elect a president of the republic within 30 days. The Sunni blocs, who traditionally hold the speakership, delayed the nomination of a candidate following a meeting yesterday.