Iraq Parliament Elects Haybat al-Halbousi as Speaker: A First Step Amid Political Fragmentation

The gavel has fallen, but the path ahead remains treacherous. In a decisive move to end months of political deadlock, Iraq's newly elected parliament has chosen Haybat al-Halbousi as its speaker. While this marks a significant milestone in government formation, the complex web of sectarian interests suggests the toughest negotiations are still to come.

Haybat al-Halbousi Secures Dominant Victory

According to Iraqi media reports on December 29, 2025, al-Halbousi of the Taqaddum (Progress) Party received 208 votes during the first sitting of the Council of Representatives. His victory was overwhelming, with rival contenders trailing far behind at 66 and 9 votes, respectively. This session follows the pivotal November 11 elections, which left the nation's leadership in a state of uncertainty.

Under the customary muhasasa system, the speaker must be a Sunni, the president a Kurd, and the prime minister a Shia. With al-Halbousi now in place, the focus shifts to the presidency. Supreme Judicial Council President Faiq Zaidan has urged lawmakers to adhere to the 90-day constitutional timeline to avoid the prolonged delays seen in 2021, which lasted over 300 days.

The Rising Shadow of the Shia Coordination Framework

The real battle lies within the Shia blocs. Incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, whose Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC) won 46 seats, finds himself back in the orbit of the Shia Coordination Framework (SCF) following a recent court ruling. The SCF is now grappling with internal dynamics, as pro-Iran factions have significantly increased their presence.

Of the SCF's nearly 180 lawmakers, roughly 80 to 90 belong to groups close to Tehran—a massive jump from just 17 seats in the previous term. This shift poses a challenge for Iraq's relations with the United States and other foreign powers, as many of these lawmakers are linked to armed wings under international sanctions.