November 2025
Incumbent PM’s coalition wins more seats in parliamentary elections
On 11 November, Iraq held parliamentary elections for all 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the results on 17 November. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by incumbent PM Al-Sudani, secured the largest share with 46 seats, followed by The State of Law Coalition with 29, and Taqaddum and the Sadiqoon Movement with 27 each. Voter turnout rose to 56.0 per cent from 43.5 per cent in 2021, though registration remained low. The Sadrist Movement, previously the largest party until its 2022 resignation, boycotted the vote. Of 2,248 women running as candidates (28.9 per cent), 84 won seats (83 secured by a quota), representing 25.2 per cent of parliament, down from 95 seats (28.9 per cent) previously. Observers described the elections as generally peaceful, despite at least 24 violent incidents on election day, including assaults and intimidation of voters, polling staff and monitors. In the lead-up, a candidate was killed in a car-bomb attack. A total of 872 appeals were filed, with results sent to the Federal Supreme Court for ratification on 8 December.
Sources: Independent High Electoral Commission, Shafaq News (1), Shafaq News (2), Shafaq News (3), +964 Media, International IDEA, IPU Parline
Parliamentary elections register increase in voter turnout
Voter turnout in Iraq’s parliamentary elections held on 11 November reached its highest level since the 2018 election, with 56.0 per cent of the 21.4 million registered voters participating (roughly 12 million votes). This represents an increase from the 43.5 per cent turnout in the 2021 election, when 9.6 million registered voters cast their ballots (out of 22.1 million total registered voters). In particular, participation was highest in the Kurdistan Region, with 77.0 per cent in Duhok and 70.0 per cent in Erbil.
Sources: International IDEA, Atlantic Council, Shafaq News
June 2025
Nine judges of the Federal Supreme Court resign simultaneously
On 17 June, nine judges of the Federal Supreme Court resigned simultaneously (six out of the nine full members and three substitute judges), forcing the Court to suspend its activities. The resignations reflected two main issues. First, the Court was scheduled to review an appeal filed by the country’s President and Prime Minister concerning a 2023 ruling that had challenged a maritime agreement between Iraq and Kuwait, which some analysts interpreted as political pressure on the judiciary. Second, there were internal tensions between Chief Justice Al-Amiri and Judicial Council head Faiq Zaidan, which split the judiciary into opposing camps, with the dispute reflecting broader political disagreements over the Court’s rulings, including the maritime agreement and decisions that temporarily blocked the implementation of laws passed by parliament. Amid this crisis, Al-Amiri resigned on 29 June, and was succeeded by new Chief Justice Mundher Ibrahim Hussein. Following the leadership change, the judges withdrew their resignations, and the Court resumed its functions in early July. Thereafter, the President and Prime Minister also withdrew their appeal against the maritime agreement ruling.
Sources: The New Region, Associated Press, Al-Aalem, Shafaq News, Rudaw, Atlantic Council, The New Arab, 964 Media
February 2025
Personal Status Law amendments ratified
On 13 February, the President ratified amendments to the Personal Status Law (PSL). The amendments, passed by parliament on 21 January, allow Shiite Iraqis to decide whether their marriage and family matters are governed by the secular PSL or religious law. Other religious sects will remain under secular law only. As a result, the amendments create a system where family law protections may vary by sect affiliation and personal choice. The new PSL provisions require Shia religious law to set the minimum age of marriage at 18 but to also permit marriage at 15 in certain circumstances. In divorce proceedings where there is disagreement as to whether secular or religious law is to be applied, the amendments state that the husband’s preference prevails. The Shiite Endowment Office, the relevant religious authority, now has four months to draft the accompanying religious law, which must then be approved by Parliament.
Update: On 27 August, Parliament approved the code of jurisprudence that was presented by the Shiite Endowment Office. This was further upheld by the Supreme Court on 30 August.
Sources: Official Gazette of Iraq, Parliament of Iraq, Iraqi News Agency, The National, International IDEA, Shafaq News (1), Shafaq News (2)
October 2024
Election of new parliamentary speaker ends year-long deadlock
On 31 October, Iraq's Parliament elected Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its new speaker, ending nearly a year of political deadlock. The position had been vacant since November 2023, when the Federal Supreme Court removed former speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi over forgery allegations. The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament plays a key role in facilitating the effective functioning of the legislative process, managing debates and ensuring the timely passage of laws. The election of Al-Mashhadani follows months of negotiations, marking a rare moment of consensus in Iraq's divided parliament, where Sunni factions had struggled to agree on a replacement for the position, which is reserved for a Sunni Muslim.
Sources: Associated Press, The New Arab, Al Arabiya, International IDEA
Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2025
Representation
94/173
Rights
135/173
Rule of Law
136/173
Participation
98/173
Basic Information
Population
44 496 122
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani (since 2022)
Head of government party
Independent
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Single Non-Transferable Vote
Women in lower or single chamber
25.5%
Women in upper chamber
Not applicable
Last legislative election
2025
Effective number of political parties
5.63
Head of state
President Abdul Latif Rashid
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
27/01/2025
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
68.82%
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Human Rights Treaties
State party
Signatory
No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Convention on the Rights of the Child
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
Equal Remuneration Convention
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
Regional Treaties
Arab Charter on Human Rights
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months
Representation
Feb 2026
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul 2026
Rights
Feb 2026
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul 2026
Rule of law
Feb 2026
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul 2026
Participation
Feb 2026
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul 2026
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
Use the slider below to see how democratic performance has changed over time
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