Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Development and Reconstruction Alliance has emerged as the frontrunner in the country's parliamentary elections, securing the largest number of seats and placing the incumbent in a powerful position to form the next government. Official results released on Thursday, November 13, show Sudani’s coalition won 45 seats in the 329-member parliament, capitalizing on a broad base of support that crossed sectarian lines.
The results set the stage for complex coalition negotiations in the coming weeks. According to a T24 report by Namık Durukan, Sudani’s alliance was followed by the State of Law Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, which secured 30 seats. The Sunni Takaddum Party, headed by former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, came in third with 27 seats, solidifying its role as a key player in the Sunni political landscape.
Kurdish political factions largely maintained their significant influence in Baghdad. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) won 27 seats, demonstrating its continued strength in its traditional strongholds of Erbil and Duhok. Its regional rival, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), won 18 seats, performing strongly in Sulaymaniyah. However, not all Kurdish parties fared as well; the New Generation Movement experienced a major setback, seeing its representation fall dramatically from nine seats to just three in the new parliament.
The electoral map revealed clear regional preferences. Sudani’s alliance dominated in the Shia-majority provinces, including Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala, while the Takaddum Party swept the Sunni-majority provinces of Anbar and Salahaddin. In the ethnically diverse and contested province of Kirkuk, the PUK emerged as the top party, followed by the Takaddum Party. The United Iraqi Turkmen Front secured third place with two seats, while the KDP finished fourth.
Following the announcement, Prime Minister al-Sudani issued a call for unity and progress. In his first message, he stated that the next phase is to "form a new government capable of implementing its programs." He declared, "Our alliance is first because we believe in the principle of 'Iraq first,'" and thanked voters for their support. Sudani extended an invitation to all political blocs to work together, emphasizing that his coalition's doors are "open to all, without exception." He urged all parties to respect the will of the voters and prioritize the country's interests.
With the results now official, the focus shifts to the intricate process of building a governing coalition, as Sudani begins the negotiations to secure a parliamentary majority.
Photo: Wikipedia, 2023 governorate elections