Overview
- Lawmakers gather for the first sitting to elect a speaker and two deputies and to swear in 329 members, with eldest MP Amer Al Fayez presiding.
- Sunni factions diverge as the National Political Council backs Haibat Al Halbousi, while Azm leader Muthanna Al Samarrai declares his own candidacy and rejects the council’s choice.
- The Kurdistan Democratic Party nominates Shakhawan Abdullah for second deputy speaker, and Shiite blocs have not named a first deputy candidate.
- The Federal Supreme Court’s ratification of results starts the clock: parliament has 30 days to elect a president, who then oversees cabinet formation within 15 days, deadlines frequently missed in prior cycles.
- Al Jazeera reports the Shia Coordination Framework holds the largest bloc with expanded representation from Iran-aligned armed groups, a shift that could complicate coalition talks and Western engagement.