Iraqi prime minister’s coalition wins parliamentary elections

A coalition led by Iraq’s prime minister has won the country’s parliamentary elections, Baghdad’s electoral commission has said.

Mohammed Shia al Sudani, who has led the Middle Eastern nation since 2022, was seeking a second term in power.

During the campaign, he attempted to portray himself as a leader who could bring stability to Iraq after years of crisis.

But many young voters saw the vote as a means for the country’s elite to divide the spoils of the country’s oil wealth among themselves.

The coalition Mr Sudani leads received 1.32 million votes. Turnout was 56.11%, the electoral commission said on Wednesday.

Supporters of the prime minister held celebrations in Baghdad shortly after the announcement of the preliminary results.

Hamid Hemid hailed his victory, saying: “He is the number one in Iraq, and not only Baghdad.”

However, the result does not mean Mr Sudani will necessarily remain the prime minister.

No single bloc of parties won enough seats to form the government themselves, meaning a coalition deal will have to be struck.

In several past elections in Iraq, the group winning the most seats has not been able to impose its preferred candidate.

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After the last elections, which took place in 2021, a party led by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al Sadr won the largest number of seats but withdrew from negotiations to form a new government.

Speaking in a televised speech following the announcement of the initial results, Mr Sudani said: “The voter turnout is clear evidence of another success, reflected in the restoration of confidence in the political system.”

Iraq has been wrecked by violence and dominated by powerful Iran-backed militias since it was invaded by a US-led coalition in 2003.

Earlier this year, Mr Sudani travelled to London to negotiate a series of deals on the economy and diplomacy.

Speaking to Sky News during his visit, he insisted he was in control of Iraq despite the presence of armed groups using its territory to attack Israel.

He said: “We’re not embarrassed in any way, we carry out our duties to enforce the law, to maintain security and stability in Iraq and reject all means of violence. We won’t allow any side to dictate the decision between peace and war.”