Over two-thirds of Iraqi MPs call for presidential vote next week

Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi said on Friday that Iraq’s legislature will move forward with the process of electing a president in line with constitutional provisions, stressing that any further delay is unacceptable.

In a statement posted on X and cited by Caliber.Az, al-Halbousi declared, “The Council of Representatives will assume its constitutional responsibility and proceed to exercise this right,” warning that “delay directly undermines the stability of the state and disrupts the functioning of state institutions.”

إنّ تأخير انتخاب رئيس الجمهورية لم يعد مقبولاً، لما له من تأثيرٍ مباشر على استقرار الدولة وانتظام عمل مؤسساتها، في وقتٍ يتطلع فيه العراقيون إلى حسم هذا الاستحقاق الدستوري.

لقد أُعطي الوقت الكافي للوصول إلى توافقٍ واختيار شخصيةٍ مناسبة، إلا إن استمرار التأخير تجاوز حدوده…

— هيبت الحلبوسي (@HaibetHamad) March 27, 2026

He said that enough time had already been given to reach consensus on a candidate, but that the delay had now exceeded acceptable limits. “Sufficient time has been given to reach consensus and select an appropriate candidate, but further delay has exceeded acceptable limits, and therefore the Council of Representatives will assume its constitutional duty and proceed to fulfil this obligation,” he said. “We bear a clear national responsibility: to fulfil this obligation in accordance with the constitution and to choose a person who represents the interests of all, who is worthy of the trust of Iraqis, and who will restore stability in the functioning of state institutions.”

Earlier on Friday, 220 out of 329 members of Iraq’s parliament signed a formal request calling on the leadership to convene a session next Monday to elect the president. In their letter to the speaker, lawmakers representing more than two-thirds of the chamber said their appeal was grounded in constitutional provisions and “reflects the need to meet current political requirements.”

By Tamilla Hasanova