Al-Sudani's Coalition Tops Iraq Parliamentary Election

A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has won the most seats in the country's parliamentary election, according to officials from the Independent High Electoral Commission. The vote, held on Tuesday across Iraq, saw al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Change alliance secure 1.3 million votes, roughly 370,000 more than its nearest rival, positioning it to play a central role in forming the next government. With no single bloc achieving a majority in the 329-seat legislature, leaders now face months of negotiations to build alliances and select a prime minister.

The election drew a turnout of 56 percent, which al-Sudani described as "clear evidence of another success that reflected the restoration of confidence in the political system." Speaking after initial results were announced, he highlighted the poll's role in stabilizing the nation after years of turmoil. However, many voters expressed deep disillusionment, viewing the process as a means for entrenched parties to allocate Iraq's oil revenues rather than drive reform. Turnout dipped notably in Baghdad and Najaf, areas affected by a boycott called by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Sadrist...