Sudani, Rashid stress constitutional steps to form government

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met Sunday with President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, with both sides emphasizing the need to complete constitutional obligations and move forward with forming a government capable of meeting public expectations.

According to a statement from the prime minister’s media office, the meeting reviewed “the general situation in the country and developments in the region, particularly events in Syria.” The statement said the two leaders stressed “the need to preserve national unity and coordinate positions in support of the government’s measures and steps to confront current challenges in a manner that safeguards Iraq’s supreme interests.”

The statement said the meeting also emphasized “the importance of completing constitutional obligations and moving forward with the formation of a government capable of continuing the path of development and economic advancement and meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people.”

The meeting comes as parliament prepares to elect a president on Tuesday, a step required under the constitution before the next phase of government formation can proceed. Parliament recently published a final list of 19 eligible presidential candidates following binding rulings by the Federal Supreme Court on objections to the nomination process.

On Saturday, Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework announced it nominated State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki for the post of prime minister by “majority vote,” citing his political and administrative experience. The move followed the Nov. 11, 2025 parliamentary election, in which al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition won 46 seats and al-Maliki’s bloc secured 29.

Voters elected all 329 members of parliament in November, and the legislature selected Haibat al-Halbousi as speaker in late December, completing initial constitutional steps ahead of the presidential election and subsequent government formation.

Full statement:

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid on Sunday.

The meeting reviewed the general situation in the country and developments in the region, particularly events in Syria. The two sides stressed the need to preserve national unity and coordinate positions in support of the government’s measures and steps to confront current challenges in a manner that safeguards Iraq’s supreme interests.

The meeting also emphasized the importance of completing constitutional obligations and moving forward with the formation of a government capable of continuing the path of development and economic advancement and meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi people.

Media Office of the Prime Minister
Jan. 25, 2026