Iraqi PM al-Sudani's coalition comes first in parliamentary election

"A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has emerged as winner in Iraq's parliamentary election, according to electoral authorities. The Independent High Electoral Commission said on Wednesday that al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Change coalition received 1.3 million votes in Tuesday's election, about 370,000 more than the next closest competitor. Speaking after the initial results were announced, al-Sudani hailed the voter turnout of 56 percent, saying it was clear evidence of another success that reflected the restoration of confidence in the political system."

"However, while al-Sudani, who first came to power in 2022, had cast himself as a leader who could turn around Iraq's fortunes after decades of instability, the poll was marked by disillusionment among weary voters who saw it as a vehicle for established parties to divide Iraq's oil wealth. Turnout was lower in areas like Baghdad and Najaf after populist Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr, leader of the Sadrist Movement, called on his vast numbers of supporters to boycott the flawed election."

A coalition led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received about 1.3 million votes, roughly 370,000 more than the nearest competitor. Overall turnout was 56 percent, though turnout fell in Baghdad and Najaf after Muqtada al-Sadr urged supporters to boycott. Shia candidates prevailed in Shia-majority provinces, Sunni candidates won in Sunni-majority provinces, and Kurdish parties dominated Kurdish-majority areas, with notable surprises in Nineveh and Diyala. No party secured a parliamentary majority in the 329-member legislature, so the next administration will require protracted, complex deal-making over alliances, power-sharing and resource distribution.

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