Iraq Postpones Presidential Vote, Delays Government Formation

By  News On Air   Jan 29, 2026

Iraq’s parliament has postponed the vote to elect the country’s next president, delaying a key step in government formation after last year’s elections. The session, scheduled for Tuesday, was deferred at the request of the two main Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which are still negotiating a consensus candidate.

Under Iraq’s power-sharing arrangement, the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd and is largely ceremonial, but the post carries political weight as the president formally nominates the prime minister. The delay comes amid broader post-election uncertainty. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s bloc won the most seats in the November polls, but the Shia Coordination Framework later put forward former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, triggering political and external pushback.

Washington has warned against al-Maliki’s return, citing his ties with Iran, a charge he has rejected as interference. Iraq’s judiciary has called for adherence to constitutional timelines. No new date has been set for the presidential vote, raising concerns over prolonged political deadlock and stability.