Iraq’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani, has secured its next term in the country’s 2025 parliamentary elections, according to preliminary results released by the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) on November 13.

The vote, held on November 11, drew 12mn ballots from roughly 21.5mn eligible voters, producing a turnout of 56.11% which is considered one of the highest participation rates in recent years on the back of success for the incumbent al-Sudani led faction. 

In Baghdad, al-Sudani’s coalition won 411,026 votes, securing 15 out of the capital’s 69 seats. The Sunni-led Taqaddum Party, headed by former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, came second in the capital, while former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition ranked third. Taqaddum secured 10 seats and State of Law eight, according to initial tallies.

Celebrations erupted in Baghdad as supporters of Sudani’s bloc took to the streets following the announcement of the results, with reports showing that many people in the predominantly Shi'ite areas of the city came out in support.

In a televised statement after the results were made public, al-Sudani congratulated his supporters, saying, “I congratulate the masses of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition for achieving first place in the election results.”

He confirmed that his alliance remains “open to all political forces” in efforts to form the next government.

“We will work to achieve the will and interest of all the people, including those who boycotted, because Iraq belongs to everyone,” he added.

The prime minister said, “The electoral competition has ended, and I call on everyone to place the national interest above all else in the service of Iraqis. The people’s decision is the final judgement, and we must form a competent government.”

In the Kurdistan Region, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, secured the most votes in Erbil, Duhok, and Nineveh. The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) led in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk, while the Tasmim Alliance, headed by Basra Governor Asaad al-Eidani, won in Basra.

Al-Sudani, who seeks a second term, will need to form a broader coalition with other Shiaa, Sunni and Kurdish groups. Since the 2003 US-led invasion, a sectarian system has reserved the premiership for a Shia, the presidency for a Kurd, and the speaker role for a Sunni. A total of 7,743 candidates, including 2,247 women, ran in the election.

The European Union praised Iraqis for “exercising their democratic right to vote”, describing the election as an essential step in strengthening institutions, accountability and inclusion. The EU sent an expert electoral mission at IHEC’s request and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Iraq’s stability “amid ongoing geopolitical shifts in the Middle East”.

The EU emphasised that Iraq's stability is becoming increasingly important amid ongoing geopolitical shifts in the Middle East, and reiterated its willingness to continue assisting Iraq as a partner in advancing its democratic and reform agendas.