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IraqPolitics –Iraq’s parliament has once again postponed a key session intended to elect the country’s next president, extending a political impasse rooted in unresolved differences between the two dominant Kurdish parties. The delay follows a similar postponement last week, underscoring the depth of the disagreement and its impact on the wider government formation process.

Session adjourned amid lack of consensus

The planned parliamentary session was adjourned on Sunday local time after the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan failed to reach an agreement on a unified candidate for the presidency. In addition to the political disagreement, lawmakers were also unable to secure the quorum required to proceed with the vote, according to information carried by Xinhua news agency.

Parliamentary officials confirmed that the absence of consensus made it impossible to move forward, leaving the presidential post vacant and further delaying the next steps in forming a new government.

Parliamentary leaders discuss next steps

Following the adjournment, the speaker of parliament convened a meeting with leaders of the main parliamentary blocs to explore options for setting a new date for the presidential election. In a statement released by the parliament’s media office, the speaker emphasized the importance of respecting constitutional deadlines, even as political negotiations continue behind the scenes.

The statement highlighted concerns that prolonged delays could complicate the already fragile political process and increase uncertainty at a time when the country is seeking stability after elections.

Constitutional deadlines under pressure

Iraq held its most recent parliamentary elections in November last year. Under the country’s constitution, lawmakers are required to elect a president within 30 days of the first parliamentary session, which took place on December 29, 2025. The repeated postponements have raised questions about whether these timelines can realistically be met.

Once a president is elected, the constitution grants the new head of state 15 days to nominate the candidate from the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government. That nominee must then assemble a cabinet and secure a confidence vote in parliament within 30 days, setting a tight schedule that depends heavily on resolving the current deadlock.

Shiite bloc backs familiar figure for premiership

While the presidential vote remains stalled, political maneuvering over the next prime minister has continued. Iraq’s Coordination Framework, a coalition of Shiite parties that holds the largest number of seats in parliament, reiterated its backing for former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to return to the post.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the alliance rejected what it described as foreign interference in the government formation process. The group formally nominated al-Maliki to lead the next government on January 24, signaling its determination to push ahead with its preferred candidate.

International reaction and sovereignty debate

The nomination has drawn international attention, particularly from the United States. On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would withdraw support for Iraq if al-Maliki were to return to power. The remarks added a new layer of tension to an already complex political environment.

Al-Maliki responded the following day, dismissing the comments as an unacceptable intrusion into Iraq’s internal affairs. He described the warning as a clear violation of national sovereignty, reinforcing a long-standing sensitivity in Iraqi politics regarding external influence.

Power-sharing system shapes political landscape

Iraq’s current political framework is based on an ethno-sectarian power-sharing arrangement introduced after 2003. Under this system, the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd, the speaker of parliament is a Sunni Muslim, and the prime minister comes from the Shiite majority.

This structure makes agreement among major political and ethnic groups essential for government formation. As divisions persist within the Kurdish political camp, progress on the presidential election remains uncertain, with knock-on effects for the entire political process.