Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition has emerged as a frontrunner in the country's parliamentary elections, paving the way for potential government formation talks. Preliminary results indicate that Sudani's coalition secured 1.317 million votes in the November 11 polls, surpassing the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, which garnered approximately 1.099 million votes.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Sunni Progress Party, led by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, ranked third with over 900,000 votes. Meanwhile, the State of Law Coalition, headed by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, secured the fourth position with over 700,000 votes. Voter turnout was reported at 56%, as per the electoral commission, with spokesperson Jumana al-Ghalai indicating that final results are expected next week.
The preliminary figures reveal that only the Reconstruction and Development Coalition and the Kurdistan Democratic Party surpassed the one-million-vote threshold nationwide. However, the number of votes does not directly correlate with the number of parliamentary seats. Initial projections for the 329-member parliament allot 45 seats to Sudani's coalition, 30 to Maliki's State of Law Coalition, and 27 seats each to Barzani's KDP and Halbousi's Progress Party. Other significant seat allocations include 26 seats for Shia leader Qais al-Khazali's Sadiqoun bloc and 19 for Shia politician Hadi al-Ameri's Badr Organization.
A notable development occurred in Mosul's predominantly Arab district, where the Kurdistan Democratic Party achieved an unexpected victory, obtaining the highest vote count. The Progress Party and Sudani's coalition followed in second and third places, respectively. Additionally, Turkmen candidates secured four parliamentary seats, marking a significant milestone in Iraqi politics.
The election saw varied voter turnout across regions, with Dohuk in northern Iraq recording the highest at 77.47%, while Baghdad's Rusafa district and Maysan province experienced the lowest at 41.55% and 42.15%, respectively. Among individual candidates, Kirkuk Governor Rebwar Taha of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan emerged as the top vote-winner, followed by Sudani and Halbousi.
In an unusual outcome, 49 candidates across Iraq received only one vote each. Minority quota seats were also filled, with individuals from Christian, Yazidi, Feyli, Shabak, and Mandaean communities securing representation.
With his coalition holding the largest number of seats, Sudani is expected to engage in coalition talks to form a new government. He expressed readiness for dialogue with all parties, although Shia factions aligned with Iran may resist another term for him and could seek alliances with Sunni and Kurdish partners instead.
In the context of Iraq's post-2003 political system, the president is tasked with convening parliament within 15 days of certifying election results. The session includes the election of parliamentary leaders and sets the stage for selecting Iraq's president, who must then nominate a prime minister to form a cabinet within 30 days. If unsuccessful, the president appoints another candidate.