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Iraq's New Parliament Elects its Speaker

Published December 29, 2025, 20:08
Iraq's New Parliament Elects its Speaker

Iraq's newly elected parliament held its inaugural session and elected Haibat al-Halbusi, a Sunni official from the Takadum party, as its speaker. Al-Halbusi received 208 votes out of 309 present parliamentarians. The parliament immediately began the process of electing deputy speakers, one Shia and one Kurdish. Iraq operates under a power-sharing system where the position of Prime Minister is reserved for a Shia official, the Speaker of Parliament for a Sunni, and the President of the Republic, a largely ceremonial role, for a Kurd. The 45-year-old Al-Halbusi has served two terms as a parliamentarian and chaired the parliamentary Oil and Energy Committee during his tenures. Prior to the election, major Sunni forces coordinated their positions and designated Al-Halbusi as their sole candidate. The parliamentary elections were held on November 11th with a turnout of 56.11%, despite a boycott by influential Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr. According to the Iraqi constitution, the parliament has 30 days from its first session to elect the President of the Republic. The election of the Speaker of Parliament marks a significant step towards forming the new government in Iraq.