Iraqi politicians call for swift formation of new government after parliamentary elections

By Fekry Abdeen and Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – Iraqi politicians have called for expediting the formation of a new government after the country’s parliamentary elections concluded last week, according to local media.

Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on Sunday evening to discuss the election results.

A statement by Maliki’s media office said the two politicians stressed the importance of “accelerating the formation of a government that is capable of meeting the citizens’ demands and achieving their aspirations.”

Preliminary results of the Nov. 11 elections showed that Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition emerged as the winner of the vote, with 1.317 million votes, followed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, with around 1.099 million.

Halbousi’s Progress Party ranked third with more than 900,000 votes, while Maliki’s State of Law Coalition came fourth with more than 700,000 votes.

Iraq’s electoral commission is expected to announce the final results this week after examining appeals.

Sudani said last week that he is open to dialogue and negotiations with all parties to form the new government.

Shia parties and blocs hold a majority in the current legislature. Power in Iraq is traditionally divided among the country’s main communities: the presidency goes to the Kurds, the premiership to the Shias, and the speakership of parliament to the Sunnis.