Halbousi elected speaker as Iraq moves towards government formation

Iraqi lawmakers elected Haibat Al-Halbousi as speaker of the parliament during its first session following November’s national elections, a key step in forming the country’s next government.

According to a ‌parliamentary statement on Monday, Halbousi secured 208 of 283 votes.

The parliamentary speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining legislative order, mediating disputes, and building consensus in Iraq’s sectarian-based political system.

By longstanding convention, the country’s top three posts are distributed along ethno-religious lines: the presidency goes to a Kurd, the prime ministership to a Shia, and the parliamentary speakership to a Sunni.

The arrangement is designed to ensure that all major communities are represented in government.

Last month’s election drew a reported turnout of over 55 percent, according to the Independent High Election Commission, marking a notable increase from the record-low 41 percent in 2021.

The political list backing incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani won the most seats, positioning his bloc to play a central role in forming the next cabinet.

Under Iraq’s constitution, parliament must elect a speaker and two deputies at its opening session, and a new president within 30 days.

Once elected, the president is tasked with asking the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government.