Zidan, Barzani meet in Erbil to discuss constitutional timelines

ERBIL — Supreme Judicial Council President Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan met Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani on Saturday during a visit to Erbil, with discussions covering constitutional deadlines and the broader political process in Iraq, according to readouts from both sides.

The Judicial Media Office said Zidan emphasized the importance of submitting the names of candidates for the position of president of the republic within the time frame specified by law. It said Barzani praised the role of the judiciary in reinforcing respect for constitutional deadlines in forming the legislative and executive authorities.

In a separate statement, the Barzani Office said Barzani received Zidan on Saturday in Pirmam. The meeting included an exchange of views on the political situation in Iraq, the entitlements of the parties and steps in the country’s political process.

Iraq’s political process entered a new phase after the Council of Representatives opened its new term on Dec. 29 and elected Haibat al-Halbousi as speaker of parliament, following negotiations among major Sunni parties grouped under the National Political Council. With parliament now formed and its leadership in place, constitutional timelines have begun for parliamentary blocs to nominate a candidate for prime minister and move toward forming a new government.

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.

Statement from the Judicial Media Office:

The President of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan, met today, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, with the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, during his visit to the city of Erbil.

The head of the council stressed the importance of submitting the names of candidates for the position of president of the republic within the time frame specified by law. For his part, Masoud Barzani praised the role of the judiciary in reinforcing respect for constitutional deadlines in the formation of the legislative and executive authorities.

Statement from the Barzani Office:

President Barzani receives the President of Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council

President Masoud Barzani received Faiq Zidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq, today, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Pirmam.

The meeting included an exchange of views on the political situation in Iraq, the entitlements of the parties, and steps in the country’s political process.