Iraq and U.S. Policy
Abstract
Iraq held a national election on October 10, 2021, with voters selecting 329 members for the unicameral legislature, the Council of Representatives (COR). The COR elects Iraq's president and approves the prime ministers program and cabinet nominees. Negotiations among Iraqi political groups since the election have sought to identify the new COR's "largest bloc," which under Iraqs constitution nominates the president who would then designate a prime minister tasked with proposing a cabinet. This ruling party or coalition may or may not include the coalition or party that actually won the most COR seats. An impasse between competing blocs has delayed the COR's selection of the president since January 2022. Iraq adopted a new electoral law for the 2021 election based on individual candidacy and local districts, creating new political opportunities for independents and members of the protest movement that brought down the government formed after the 2018 election. Independents and grassroots candidates won 43 seats in the 2021 election, but established political forces predominate. Newcomers have faced unique pressures during the post-election talks, and several have aligned since with parties or coalitions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 18, 2022
- Accession Number
- AD1172856
Entities
People
- Christopher M. Blanchard
Organizations
- Library of Congress