Iraqi elections

KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani (R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani (L) meet in Irbil on April 12, 2025.

Exclusive

Iraq's Kurds air fury over PM Sudani's stance after attack on gas field

“We were shocked at Sudani’s audacity. Imagine the state we would have been in had he gotten his way,” a senior Iraqi Kurdish official speaking not for attribution told Al-Monitor.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi addresses the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York City on Sept. 23, 2022.

Former PM Kadhimi: Vote shows Iraqis turning toward new leadership

Mustafa al-Kadhimi told Al-Monitor that the strong performances of parties that ran on their own, as opposed to those on lists, indicate a desire to shake up the status quo.

People walk past electoral campaign posters ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in central Baghdad on Nov. 6, 2025.

Analysis

Iraq’s next PM? Shatri, Eidani, Kadhimi and others jostle for lead

A number of establishment figures are being circulated as potential candidates, though experts believe the Coordination Framework, a powerful Shiite coalition, will again have the final say.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Supporters of incumbent Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani wave national flags in front of a screen displaying his portrait as they celebrate following the announcement of preliminary election results in Baghdad on Nov. 12, 2025.

Analysis

How Iraq’s next government could shape the US-Iran rivalry

Millions of Iraqis headed to the polls last week to vote, but it could be months before a new government takes shape.

Elizabeth Hagedorn

By Elizabeth Hagedorn

In Washington, DC, reporting on diplomacy, regional politics, human rights

Latest News

Iraq’s Shiite alliance meets to chart strategy after Sudani comes first in election

A delivery person rides a motorcycle past election billboards for candidates and blocs competing in Iraq's upcoming November parliamentary election, including incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, displayed along a street in Baghdad on Oct. 3, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey to navigate enduring Iranian influence in Iraq following elections

AHMAD AL-RUBAYE/AFP via Getty Images

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Sudani ahead in early Iraq vote count, path to power uncertain

SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Will Iraq’s election results reshape Iran’s role in Baghdad?

People walk past electoral campaign posters ahead of Iraq's parliamentary elections in central Baghdad on Nov. 6, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Members of the Iraqi riot police protect the Green Zone in Baghdad.

Militias protest after losses in Iraqi election

The results of Iraq's Oct. 10 parliamentary elections came as a shock to political parties affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Units, as they lost more than half of their seats in parliament.

An Iraqi demonstrator holds a placard during an anti-government demonstration by Basra University students in the southern city of Basra, on Feb. 11, 2020.

Iraqi independents to form new parliamentary bloc

Representatives of the demonstrations and independent candidates did well in the Iraqi elections, unsettling many existing political elites.

Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, chairman of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission, speaks in Baghdad on Oct. 12, 2021.

Iraq's election results put militias between rock and hard place

Political parties affiliated with Iraqi militias faced significant defeat, while their ally Nouri al-Maliki earned a remarkable victory.

Employees of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission conduct a manual count of votes following the parliamentary elections in Baghdad's Green Zone area on Oct. 13, 2021.

The Takeaway: Sunni ‘awakening’ is a big story from Iraq’s elections

Also: Press freedom under threat in Tunisia; Sisi backs Saied emergency measures; Palestinian video game banned in Israel; Syrian opposition considers merger in Idlib; Egypt praised for restoring Jewish synagogue; all in less than 1,300 words!

Supporters of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr celebrate in Baghdad's Tahrir square on Oct. 11, 2021 following the announcement of parliamentary elections' results.

Sadr and independents biggest winners under Iraq's new election law

The new election law was beneficial for large political blocs and independents, but it also harmed a number of large blocs whose presence in the new parliament has become almost marginal.

Iran nuclear

Israel, US gloss over differences on Iran, but frictions remain

US-Israel strategic dialogue finds few points of agreement on Iran's nuclear capability; Iraq looks forward to smooth, transparent election.

SHWAN MOHAMMED/AFP via Getty Images

Security forces, IDPs cast votes early in Iraq's parliamentary elections

Early voting has opened in Iraq’s parliamentary elections.

Members of Iraq's security forces take part in early voting for the parliamentary elections in the central city of Najaf, on Oct. 8, 2021.

Iraqi elections begin with strict measurements to prevent fraud

In a first of its kind, Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission is excluding candidates from the early elections due to electoral campaign and law violations, raising expectations the elections will be different this time.

Iraqi supporters of Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr raise flags of their "Marching Toward Reform" electoral alliance during a campaign rally in the capital, Baghdad, on May 4, 2018.

Iraqi Sadrists envision role as broker of next government

After once threatening to sit out the elections, the Sadrist movement has embarked on a media and political campaign to increase election turnout.

Iraq elections

Iraq to close airports, borders for October election

Iraqi authorities have prioritized security in the lead-up to the first election since 2018.

Iraqis register to obtain their voting cards ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections, Najaf, Iraq, Sept. 29, 2021.

Iraq's top Shiite cleric calls for voting in upcoming elections

Top Shiite cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani called upon Iraqis to participate in the elections in large numbers and vote wisely.

Iraqis go about their day beneath electoral billboards and placards of candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections, in the district of Adhamiyah in the capital, Baghdad, on Sept. 17, 2021.

Iraq’s Sunni parties compete for votes in crucial election

Iraqi Sunnis are weighing whether to vote for candidates on a tribal or party-linked basis, try for independents or maybe not even vote at all.