Nizar Amedi Elected as Iraq's New President by Parliament
Synopsis
In a landmark decision, the Iraqi Parliament has elected Nizar Amedi as the new president, concluding a prolonged political deadlock. This election signifies a pivotal moment for Iraq's leadership, as Amedi assumes his role following a decisive voting session in Baghdad.
Key Takeaways
Nizar Amedi elected as Iraq's new president.
Received 227 votes in the runoff election.
Signifies the end of a prolonged political stalemate.
Constitution mandates a 15-day period for nominating a prime minister.
Political power structure includes a Kurdish president, Sunni speaker, and Shiite prime minister.
Baghdad, April 12 (NationPress) The Iraqi Parliament has officially elected Nizar Amedi, the former environment minister, as the new president of Iraq. This decision came after a decisive voting session that took place in the capital.
The announcement was made by Parliament Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi, confirming Amedi's victory after he received 227 votes in a runoff election. Following this declaration, Amedi took the constitutional oath as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
Approximately 250 lawmakers were present in this significant session, surpassing the constitutional required quorum of 220 members needed for a presidential election.
During the initial round of voting, Amedi, representing the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), led with 208 votes, while his main opponents, Muthanna Amin of the Kurdistan Islamic Union and current Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, garnered 17 and 16 votes respectively.
As no candidate achieved a two-thirds majority in the first ballot, the election proceeded to a second round between Amedi and Amin.
Amedi, who previously served as Iraq's environment minister from 2022 to 2024, also holds the position of head of the Political Bureau of the PUK in Baghdad and has served as an adviser to former Iraqi presidents.
The Iraqi constitution mandates that the newly elected president has 15 days to propose the leader of the largest parliamentary bloc as the prime minister-designate. The appointed nominee will then have 30 days to form a new cabinet and seek a confidence vote.
Iraq conducted parliamentary elections in November last year, which marked the end of a prolonged period of political stalemate. The election of a new president had previously faced delays due to a lack of agreement among the major Kurdish parties and the failure to reach the necessary two-thirds parliamentary quorum in earlier attempts.
In the post-2003 power-sharing framework of Iraq, the presidency is allocated to a Kurd, the parliamentary speaker is designated as a Sunni, and the prime minister is a Shiite.
Point of View
The election of Nizar Amedi as Iraq's new president represents a crucial step forward in a country that has faced significant political challenges in recent years. This transition in leadership is expected to have far-reaching implications for Iraq's governance and political stability.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of Amedi's election?
Amedi's election marks the conclusion of a long political deadlock in Iraq and represents a significant shift in the country's leadership.
How many votes did Amedi receive?
Nizar Amedi secured 227 votes in the runoff election held by the Iraqi Parliament.
What is the role of the president in Iraq?
The president of Iraq is responsible for appointing the prime minister and plays a critical role in the country's governance.
What challenges has Iraq faced recently?
Iraq has faced political deadlock, a lack of consensus among major parties, and issues in forming a stable government.
