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By Open Chronicle Staff with Agencies
BAGHDAD — In a decisive parliamentary session on Saturday, Nizar Amidi was elected as the sixth president of Iraq since 2003, signaling a potential end to months of political maneuvering between the nation’s primary Kurdish factions.
Amidi, the candidate for the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), secured a landslide victory in a second-round runoff, succeeding former President Abdul Latif Rashid.
The Path to Victory
The election required two rounds of voting after the first failed to produce a candidate with a two-thirds majority. Under the Iraqi constitution, 220 votes out of 329 are necessary to win outright in the initial stage.
According to official results:
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Nizar Amidi: 227 votes
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Muthanna Amin: 15 votes
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Invalid Ballots: 7
A total of 252 lawmakers participated in the session, comfortably meeting the quorum required for the proceedings. Following the announcement, Amidi was immediately invited to take the constitutional oath before the assembly.
Overcoming Political Deadlock
The presidency in Iraq is traditionally reserved for a member of the Kurdish community under a long-standing power-sharing agreement. However, the seat has been the subject of intense friction between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK.
The parliamentary session had been postponed since early February as the two parties struggled to reach a consensus. Amidi’s election effectively breaks the stalemate, allowing the government formation process to move into its next critical phase.
“The election of the President is a foundational step toward restoring full executive functionality and addressing the urgent needs of the Iraqi people,” noted a parliamentary spokesperson following the vote.
Next Steps: Forming a Government
The focus now shifts to the Council of Ministers. Under Article 76, paragraph (A) of the Iraqi Constitution, President Amidi must now charge the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a cabinet.
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Deadline: The Prime Minister-designate has 15 days from the date of the President’s election to begin the formation of the Council of Ministers.
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Mandate: The new administration will be tasked with navigating Iraq’s complex economic challenges and maintaining regional stability.