(Photo: Al-Sudani's media office)
Al-Sudani, Halbousi discuss government formation as post-election talks continue
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Monday with Speaker of the Council of Representatives Haibat Al-Halbousi to review political developments and the status of ongoing dialogue among Iraq’s political forces to form the next government, according to a statement from the prime minister’s media office.
The meeting addressed “developments in the overall situation across various fields” and emphasized the need to “sustain these dialogues in order to complete the constitutional entitlements following the fulfillment of the electoral process by the Iraqi people,” the statement said.
Al-Sudani stressed the role of the new parliament in supporting national reconstruction and development. “The new Council of Representatives [must undertake] its legislative responsibilities in support of the path of reconstruction, development, and building, and in meeting the aspirations of our Iraqi citizens,” he said, according to the statement.
Voters across Iraq went to the polls in November to elect all 329 members of the Council of Representatives. In late December, the newly formed parliament chose Haibat al-Halbousi as its speaker.
Under Iraq’s constitution, the newly elected parliament must elect a president and then facilitate the nomination of a prime minister‑designate to form a government, but political blocs continue talks to build a coalition that can command a majority and agree on key appointments.
Reports circulating late Saturday suggested Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani had agreed to step aside in favor of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as the Shiite Coordination Framework weighs its nominee for the next government.
Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing arrangement, the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd, the premiership by a Shiite Arab and the speakership of parliament by a Sunni Arab.
The presidency, a largely ceremonial post with a central role in Iraq’s government-formation process, has been held since 2003 by figures closely linked to the PUK. Past presidents include Jalal Talabani, Fuad Masum and Barham Salih. Rashid has held the post since 2022. The PUK has formally named Nizar Amedi as its official candidate for the post of president of Iraq.