The political framework of Iraq

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

President: Latif RASHID (since 13 October 2022)
Prime Minister: Mohammed Shia al-SUDANI (since 27 October 2022)

Next Election Dates

Presidential: To be determined

Main Political Parties

Iraq is a multi-party state. After the 2021 elections, the main parties/coalitions are:

- Progress Party (Takadum): big-tent, Sunni-led, non-sectarianism
- State of Law Coalition; centralist, pro-Iran, big tent
- Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP): Kurdish nationalism, republicanism
- Sadrist Movement: religious conservatism, was the largest political party in the October 2021 parliamentary election, but resigned from parliament following the 2021–2022 Iraqi political crisis
- Al-Fatah Alliance: led by pro-Iran Hadi Al-Amri, leader of Badr Corps, a guerrilla force formed by Iran to fight the Iraqi army during the war between Iraq and Iran
- Emtidad Movement: centrist, anti-corruption, emerged from the 2019 protest movement
- Kurdistan Alliance: coalition founded by the major Kurdish parties of Kurdistan Region
- Azem Alliance: Sunni coalition, emphasizes Sunni Arab interests
- New Generation Movement: liberal
- Victory Alliance: centre, Islamic democracy
- Babylon Movement: Christian political party with ties to the Popular Mobilization Forces.

Executive Power

Iraq is a federal parliamentary republic. The executive power is exercised by the Prime Minister of the Council of Ministers as the head of government, as well as the President of Iraq. The President approves laws, which are voted on by the Parliament.
The Prime Minister chairs the Council of Ministers and can dismiss a minister, with the support of a majority in the Parliament.

Legislative Power

The legislative power of Iraq is vested in the Council of Representatives, the unicameral parliament with 329 members elected for four-year terms. Most members are elected through general elections while some seats are reserved for minorities. The 2005 Constitution establishes a second chamber, termed the Federation Council, to represent areas and governorates. However, the Federation Council has never been constituted as a law has not been passed to define its composition and responsibilities; thus Iraq is essentially a single chamber of legislature.