Iraq’s Reconstruction Bloc Demands Presidential Vote Next Week

The Iraqi parliamentary "Reconstruction and Development" bloc has issued an urgent call for the Council of Representatives to convene a special session next week to elect the President of the Republic. The move comes as Iraq faces a deepening political crisis characterized by significant breaches of constitutional timelines.

Ending the Political Deadlock

In a formal statement released on Friday, the bloc emphasized that nearly two months have passed since the election of the Speaker of Parliament and his deputies, yet the presidential post remains vacant. This delay, according to the bloc, constitutes a clear violation of the constitutional frameworks intended to ensure the smooth transition of power.

The statement urged Kurdish political forces to "finalize their candidate for the presidency before the scheduled session" to allow the political process to proceed. The election of a president is a mandatory precursor to forming a fully empowered government capable of addressing the needs of Iraqi citizens and stabilizing the country’s institutions.

Consequences of Inaction

The Reconstruction and Development bloc warned that the continued existence of a "restricted-power government" directly harms the interests of the Iraqi people and hinders the state’s ability to function. Should the deadlock persist, the bloc stated it would resort to "all available constitutional means and procedures" to break the stalemate and restore the correct constitutional path.

A Complex Landscape

Iraq is currently navigating a precarious political environment. Beyond the Kurdish disagreement over the presidency, the Shiite Coordination Framework is reportedly divided over the candidacy of Nouri al-Maliki for the premiership. This internal friction follows reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed opposition to Maliki’s potential return to the leadership role.

The coming week is viewed as a critical window for Iraq’s political factions to prioritize national interests over partisan disputes to avoid further institutional erosion.