View source for Politics of Iraq

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Politics of Iraq}}
[[Iraq]] is a [[Federation|federal]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[Representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[republic]]. It is a [[multi-party system]] whereby the [[executive power]] is exercised by the [[Prime Minister of Iraq|Prime Minister]] of the [[Council of Ministers of Iraq|Council of Ministers]] as the [[head of government]], the [[President of Iraq]] as the largely ceremonial [[head of state]], and [[legislative power]] is vested in the [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|Council of Representatives]].

{{Democracy Index rating|Iraq|authoritarian regime|2023}} The [[V-Dem Democracy Indices#Regimes of the World|Regimes of the World index]] rated Iraq 2024 an [[electoral autocracy]].<ref name="j496">{{cite web | title=Democracy Report 2025, 25 Years of Autocratization – Democracy Trumped? | url=https://v-dem.net/documents/54/v-dem_dr_2025_lowres_v1.pdf | access-date=14 March 2025}}</ref>

==Government==

===Federal government===
{{main|Federal government of Iraq}}
[[File:Baghdad Convention Center.jpg|thumb|left|[[Council of Representatives of Iraq]]]]

The [[Federalism|federal]] [[Forms of government|government]] of [[Iraq]] is defined under the current [[Constitution of Iraq|constitution]] as a [[Representative democracy|democratic]], [[Federation|federal]] [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[republic]].<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 1, Article 1</ref>  The federal government is composed of the [[Executive branch|executive]], [[Legislative branch|legislative]], and [[judicial branch|judicial]] branches, as well as numerous independent commissions. [[Islam]] is the official religion of the state and a foundation source of legislation, and no law may be enacted that contradicts its established provisions; furthermore, no law may be enacted that contradicts the principles of [[democracy]] or those basic rights and freedoms stipulated in the constitution.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 1, Article 2</ref>

The legislative branch is composed of the [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|Council of Representatives]] and a [[Federation Council of Iraq|Federation Council]].<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 1, Article 48.</ref> The executive branch is composed of the [[President of Iraq|president]], the [[Prime Minister of Iraq|prime minister]], and the [[Council of Ministers of Iraq|Council of Ministers]].<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 2, Article 63</ref> The [[judiciary of Iraq|federal judiciary]] is composed of the [[Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq|Supreme Judicial Council]], the [[Court of Cassation of Iraq|Court of Cassation]], the [[Supreme Court of Iraq|Supreme Court]], the [[Public Prosecution Department of Iraq|Public Prosecution Department]], the [[Judiciary Oversight Commission of Iraq|Judiciary Oversight Commission]], and other federal courts that are regulated by law.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 3, Article 89</ref> One such court is the [[Central Criminal Court of Iraq|Central Criminal Court]].

The [[Independent High Commission for Human Rights]], the [[Independent High Electoral Commission]], and the [[Commission on Integrity]] are independent commissions subject to monitoring by the Council of Representatives.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 4, Article 102</ref> The [[Central Bank of Iraq]], the [[Board of Supreme Audit]], the [[Iraqi Communications and Media Commission|Communications and Media Commission]], and the [[Endowment Commission]] are financially and administratively independent institutions.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 4, Article 103</ref> The [[Foundation of Martyrs]] is attached to the Council of Ministers.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 4, Article 104</ref> The [[Federal Public Service Council]] regulates the affairs of the federal public service, including appointment and promotion.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Section 3, Chapter 4, Article 107</ref>

===Local government===
The basic subdivisions of the country are the regions and the governorates. Both regions and  governorates are given broad autonomy with regions given additional powers such as control of internal security forces for the region such as police, security forces, and guards.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Article 121</ref> The last local elections for the governorates were held in the [[2009 Iraqi governorate elections]] on 31 January 2009.

====Federal regions====
{{main|Federal regions of Iraq}}
The constitution requires that the Council of Representatives enact a law which provides the procedures for forming a new region 6 months from the start of its first session.<ref>[[Constitution of Iraq]], Article 114</ref> A law was passed  11 October 2006 by a unanimous vote with only 138 of 275 representatives present, with the remaining representatives boycotting the vote.<ref>{{Citation | last = Muir | first = Jim | publication-date = 2006-10-11 | title = Iraq passes regional autonomy law | publication-place = Baghdad | publisher = BBC News | url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6041916.stm | access-date = 2008-11-09 | archive-date = 2018-10-03 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181003104455/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6041916.stm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="draft_regions_law">{{Citation | title = Draft of the Law on the Operational Procedures for the Creation of Regions | url = http://www.niqash.org/intern/getBin.php?id=367 | access-date = 2008-11-09 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090301054521/http://www.niqash.org/intern/getBin.php?id=367 | archive-date = 2009-03-01 }}</ref> Legislators from the [[Iraqi Accord Front]], [[Sadrist Movement]] and [[Islamic Virtue Party]] all opposed the bill.<ref>{{Citation | title=Iraqi parliament approves federal law | url=http://today.reuters.co.uk/news/CrisesArticle.aspx?storyId=IBO145418&WTmodLoc=World-R5-Alertnet-4 |date=2006-10-11 | access-date=2008-04-18 }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic|fix-attempted=yes}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Under the law, a region can be created out of one or more existing [[Governorates of Iraq|governorates]] or two or more existing regions, and a governorate can also join an existing region to create a new region. A new region can be proposed by one third or more of the council members in each affected governorate plus 500 voters or by one tenth or more voters in each affected governorate. A referendum must then be held within three months, which requires a simple majority in favour to pass. In the event of competing proposals, the multiple proposals are put to a ballot and the proposal with the most supporters is put to the referendum. In the event of an affirmative referendum a Transitional Legislative Assembly is elected for one year, which has the task of writing a constitution for the Region, which is then put to a referendum requiring a simple majority to pass. The President, Prime Minister and Ministers of the region are elected by simple majority, in contrast to the [[Iraqi Council of Representatives]] which requires two thirds support.<ref name="draft_regions_law"/>

The northern [[Kurdistan Region]] emerged in 1992 with its own local government and parliament officially recognised in 2005 following the adoption of the new constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Political History of the Kurds |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_political-history-kurds/6178024.html |access-date=2022-03-16 |website=VOA |date=22 October 2019 |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316194009/https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_political-history-kurds/6178024.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Provinces====
{{Main|governorates of Iraq|districts of Iraq}}
{{See also|Government of Baghdad}}

[[File:Iraqi Governorates.svg|200px|thumb|right|Iraqi Governorates]]
[[Iraq]] is divided into 19 [[governorates of Iraq|governorates]], which are further divided into [[districts of Iraq|districts]]:

{{Columns-list|colwidth=30em|
# [[Baghdad Governorate|Baghdād]] (بغداد)
# [[Saladin Governorate|Salāh ad-Dīn]] (صلاح الدين)
# [[Diyala Governorate|Diyālā]] (ديالى)
# [[Wasit Governorate|Wāsit]] (واسط)
# [[Maysan Governorate|Maysān]] (ميسان)
# [[Basra Governorate|Basra]] (البصرة)
# [[Dhi Qar Governorate|Dhī Qār]] (ذي قار)
# [[Al Muthanna Governorate|Al-Muthannā]] (المثنى)
# [[Al-Qādisiyyah Governorate|Al-Qādisiyyah]] (القادسية)
# [[Babil Governorate|Bābylon]] (بابل)
# [[Karbala Governorate|Karbalā']] (كربلاء)
# [[Najaf Governorate|Najaf]] (النجف)
# [[Al Anbar Governorate|Al-Anbar]] (الأنبار)
# [[Nineveh Governorate|Nineveh]] (نينوى)
# [[Dohuk Governorate|Dohūk]] (دهوك)
# [[Erbil Governorate|Arbīl]] (أربيل)
# [[Kirkuk Governorate|Kirkuk]] (كركوك)
# [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate|Sulaymāniyah]] (السليمانية)
# [[Halabja Governorate|Halabja]] (حلبجة)}}

==Political parties==
{{main|List of political parties in Iraq}}

===Parliamentary alliances and parties===
* [[National Iraqi Alliance]] (mainly [[Shi'a]] [[Islamist]]) 
** [[Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council]] (''al-Majlis al-alalith-thaura l-islamiyya fil-Iraq'') – led by [[Ammar al-Hakim]]
** [[Sadrist Movement]] – led by [[Muqtada al-Sadr]]
** [[Islamic Dawa Party – Iraq Organisation]] (''Hizb al-Da'wa al-Islami Tendeem al-Iraq'') – led by [[Kasim Muhammad Taqi al-Sahlani]]
** [[Islamic Dawa Party]] (''Hizb al-Da'wa al-Islamiyya'') – led by [[Nouri al-Maliki]]
** [[Tribes of Iraq Coalition]] – led by [[Hamid al-Hais]]
** [[Islamic Fayli Grouping in Iraq]] – led by [[Muqdad Al-Baghdadi]]
* [[Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan]]
** [[Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iraq|Kurdistan Democratic Party]] (''Partiya Demokrat a Kurdistanê'') – led by [[Massoud Barzani]]
** [[Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]] (''Yaketi Nishtimani Kurdistan'') – led by [[Jalal Talabani]]
** [[Kurdistan Islamic Union]] (''Yekîtiya Islamiya Kurdistan'')
** [[Movement for Change]] (''Bizutnaway Gorran'') – led by [[Nawshirwan Mustafa]]
** [[Kurdistan Toilers' Party]] (''Parti Zahmatkeshan Kurdistan'')
** [[Kurdistan Communist Party]] (''Partiya Komunîst Kurdistan'')
** [[Feyli Kurd Democratic Union]] (Yeketîa Demokrata Kurden Feylî)
** [[Assyrian Patriotic Party]]
* [[Civil Democratic Alliance]] ([[Secularism|secular]], [[Nonsectarianism|nonsectarian]])
** [[People's Party (Iraq)|People's Party]] led by Faiq Al Sheikh Ali.
** [[Iraqi Ummah Party]] led by [[Mithal Al-Alusi]].
** [[Iraqi Liberal Party]]
** National Democratic Action Party
* [[Iraqi List]] (''al-Qayimaal Iraqia'') (mainly secular Shia)
** [[Iraqi National Accord]] – led by [[Iyad Allawi]]
* [[The Iraqis (party)|The Iraqis]] – led by [[Ghazi al-Yawer]] (allegedly Sunni)
* [[Feyli Kurdish National Movement]] - led by Munir Haddad
* [[Iraqi Turkmen Front]] (''Irak Türkmen Cephesi)'') (same as [[Alliance of the Turkomen Front of Iraq]]?) (ethnic group of [[Iraqi Turkmen]])
* [[National Independent Cadres and Elites]] (Shia)
* [[People's Union (Iraq)|People's Union]] (''Ittihad Al Shaab'')
** [[Iraqi Communist Party]] – led by [[Hamid Majid Mousa]]
* [[Islamic Kurdish Society]] – led by [[Ali Abd-al Aziz]]
* [[Islamic Labour Movement in Iraq]]
* [[National Democratic Party (Iraq)|National Democratic Party]] (''Hizb al Dimuqratiyah al Wataniyah'') – led by [[Samir al-Sumaidai]]
* [[National Rafidain List]]
** [[Assyrian Democratic Movement]] (''Zowaa Dimuqrataya Aturaya'') – led by [[Yonadam Kanna]]
* [[Reconciliation and Liberation Bloc]]
* [[The Upholders of the Message]] (''Al-Risaliyun'')
* [[Mithal al-Alusi List]]
* [[Yazidi Movement for Reform and Progress]]

===Other parties===
* [[Communist Party of Iraq]]
* [[Worker-Communist Party of Iraq]]
* [[Leftist Worker-Communist Party of Iraq]]
* [[Assembly of Independent Democrats|Alliance of Independent Democrats]] – led by [[Adnan Pachachi]]
* [[National Democratic Party (Iraq)|National Democratic Party]] – [[Naseer al-Chaderchi]]
* [[Green Party of Iraq]]
* [http://www.iduus.com/ Iraqi Democratic Union] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723213112/http://www.iduus.com/ |date=2011-07-23 }}
* [http://www.wifaq.com/ Iraqi National Accord] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915125456/http://www.wifaq.com/ |date=2012-09-15 }}
* [[Constitutional Monarchy Movement]] – led by [[Sharif Ali Bin al-Hussein]]
* [[Assyrian Patriotic Party]] – on the [[Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan]] list
* [[Assyria Liberation Party]]
* [[Kurdistan Conservative Party]]
* [[Turkmen People's Party]]
* [[Iraqi Islamic Party]] – led by [[Ayad al-Samarrai]]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120829005400/http://www.alneshoor.com/ Al Neshoor Party]

===Illegal parties===
* [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]]
* Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party ([[Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party – Iraq Region|Regional Command]]{{·}} [[Ba'ath Party (Iraqi-led faction)|National Command]])

==Elections==
{{main|Elections in Iraq}}

===Iraqi parliamentary election, January 2005===
{{Main|January 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election}}
[[Image:Iraqi voters inked fingers.jpg|thumb|left|[[Iraqi Police|Iraqi]] [[police officer]]s hold up their index fingers marked with purple indelible ink, a security measure to prevent double voting.]]
Elections for the [[National Assembly of Iraq]] were held on January 30, 2005, in [[Iraq]]. The 275-member National Assembly was a [[parliament]] created under the [[Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period|Transitional Law]] during the [[History of Iraq (2003–2011)|Occupation of Iraq]]. The newly elected transitional Assembly was given a mandate to write the new and permanent [[Constitution of Iraq]] and exercised legislative functions until the new Constitution came into effect, and resulted in the formation of the [[Iraqi Transitional Government]].

The [[United Iraqi Alliance]], tacitly backed by [[Shia Islam|Shia]] [[Grand Ayatollah]] [[Ali al-Sistani]], led with some 48% of the vote. The [[Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan]] was in second place with some 26% of the vote. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's party, the [[Iraqi List]], came third with some 14%. In total, twelve parties received enough votes to win a seat in the assembly.

Low Arab Sunni turnout threatened the legitimacy of the election, which was as low as 2% in [[Al Anbar Governorate|Anbar]] province. More than 100 armed attacks on polling places took place, killing at least 44 people (including nine suicide bombers) across Iraq, including at least 20 in [[Baghdad]].

===Iraqi parliamentary election, December 2005===
{{Main|December 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election}}
[[File:husaybah vote.jpg|thumb|Iraqis in the predominantly Sunni city of [[Husaybah]], wait in lines to vote during the national election.]]
Following the [[Iraqi constitution ratification vote, 2005|ratification]] of the [[Constitution of Iraq]] on 15 October 2005, a general election was held on 15 December to elect the permanent 275-member [[Iraqi Council of Representatives]].

The elections took place under a list system, whereby voters chose from a [[list of political parties in Iraq|list of parties]] and coalitions. 230 seats were apportioned among [[Governorates of Iraq|Iraq's 18 governorates]] based on the number of registered voters in each as of the [[January 2005 Iraqi legislative election|January 2005 elections]], including 59 seats for [[Baghdad Governorate]].<ref>[http://www.ieciraq.org/final%20cand/IECI%20ApportionmentofGovernorateSeats%20English_new.pdf local election results<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726171238/http://www.ieciraq.org/final%20cand/IECI%20ApportionmentofGovernorateSeats%20English_new.pdf |date=2011-07-26 }}</ref> The seats within each governorate were allocated to lists through a system of [[Proportional Representation]]. An additional 45 "compensatory" seats were allocated to those parties whose percentage of the national vote total (including out of country votes) exceeds the percentage of the 275 total seats that they have been allocated. Women were required to occupy 25% of the 275 seats.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4522060.stm | work=BBC News | title=Guide to Iraq's election | date=2005-12-13 | access-date=2010-05-22 | archive-date=2006-11-18 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061118064417/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4522060.stm | url-status=live }}</ref> The change in the voting system gave more weight to Arab [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] voters, who make up most of the voters in several provinces. It was expected that these provinces would thus return mostly Sunni Arab representatives, after most Sunnis boycotted the last election.

Turnout was high (79.6%).  The [[White House]] was encouraged by the relatively low levels of violence during polling,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/Iraq/Story/0,,1668829,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Iraqis flock to polls as insurgents urge Sunnis to vote | first=Jonathan | last=Steele | date=2005-12-16 | access-date=2010-05-22}}</ref> with one insurgent group making good on a promised election day moratorium on attacks, even going so far as to guard the voters from attack.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121500228.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Iraqi Vote Draws Big Turnout Of Sunnis | first1=Ellen | last1=Knickmeyer | first2=Jonathan | last2=Finer | date=2005-12-16 | access-date=2010-05-22 | archive-date=2018-10-04 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004123544/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/12/15/AR2005121500228.html | url-status=live }}</ref> President [[George Walker Bush|Bush]] frequently pointed to the election as a sign of progress in rebuilding Iraq. However, post-election violence threatened to plunge the nation into civil war, before the situation began to calm in 2007. The election results themselves produced a shaky coalition government headed by [[Nouri al-Maliki]].

===Iraqi parliamentary election, 2010===
{{main|2010 Iraqi parliamentary election}}
A parliamentary election was held in [[Iraq]] on 7 March 2010. The election decided the 325 members of the [[Council of Representatives of Iraq]] who will elect the Iraqi [[Prime Minister of Iraq|Prime Minister]] and [[President of Iraq|President]]. The election resulted in a partial victory for the [[Iraqi National Movement]], led by former Interim Prime Minister [[Ayad Allawi]], which won a total of 91 seats, making it the largest alliance in the council.  The [[State of Law Coalition]], led by incumbent Prime Minister [[Nouri Al-Maliki]], was the second largest grouping with 89 seats.

The election was rife with controversy.<ref>{{citation|title=Iraq Recount Mired in a New Dispute |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=3 May 2010 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220103/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/04/world/middleeast/04iraq.html |archive-date=2022-01-03 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Prior to the election, the Supreme Court in Iraq ruled that the existing electoral law/rule was unconstitutional,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gulfanalysis.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/the-2005-election-law-seen-as-unconstitutional-seat-distribution-key-in-doubt/ |title=The 2005 Election Law Seen as Unconstitutional; Seat Distribution Key in Doubt |date=24 November 2009 |last=Visser |first=Reidar |website=Iraq and Gulf Analysis |access-date=15 November 2010 |archive-date=14 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014050333/https://gulfanalysis.wordpress.com/2009/11/24/the-2005-election-law-seen-as-unconstitutional-seat-distribution-key-in-doubt/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a new elections law made changes in the electoral system.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB125770031185936775 |title=Iraq Passes Key Election Law and Prepares for January Vote |first=Gina |last=Chon |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=9 November 2009 |access-date=2017-08-08 |archive-date=2013-05-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526153250/http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125770031185936775.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 15 January 2010, the [[Independent High Electoral Commission]] (IHEC) banned 499 candidates from the election due to alleged links with the Ba'ath Party.<ref name="baathists">{{citation |title=Iraqi election commission bans 500 candidates |publisher=BBC News |date=15 January 2010 |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8461275.stm |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303212224/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8461275.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Before the start of the campaign on 12 February 2010, IHEC confirmed that most of the appeals by banned candidates had been rejected and 456 of the initially banned candidates would not be allowed to run for the election.<ref name="ihec-no-go">{{citation |title=Iraq election officials confirm Sunni candidate ban |publisher=Reuters |date=13 February 2010 |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-46143820100213 |access-date=26 May 2010 |archive-date=15 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100215091115/http://in.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idINIndia-46143820100213 |url-status=dead }}</ref> There were numerous allegations of fraud,<ref name="fraud_claims">{{citation |title=Iraqi elections hit with claims of fraud by opposing parties |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=16 March 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/mar/16/iraqi-election-vote-rigging-claims |first=Martin |last=Chulov |access-date=12 December 2016 |archive-date=23 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323005903/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/16/iraqi-election-vote-rigging-claims |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="fraud_delays">{{citation |title=Iraq poll results delayed again, amid mounting fraud claims |publisher=Earth Times |date=15 March 2010 |url=http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/314210,iraq-poll-results-delayed-again-amid-mounting-fraud-claims--summary.html |access-date=15 November 2010 |archive-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180930232259/http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/314210,iraq-poll-results-delayed-again-amid-mounting-fraud-claims--summary.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a recount of the votes in Baghdad was ordered on 19 April 2010.<ref name="baghdad-recount">{{citation |title=Baghdad recount throws Iraq election wide open |publisher=[[Agence France Presse]] |date=19 April 2010 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gK93GrzFIRSaZgVzTB8hwO0fxArw |access-date=12 November 2016 |archive-date=1 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130201001823/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gK93GrzFIRSaZgVzTB8hwO0fxArw |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 14, IHEC announced that after 11,298 ballot boxes had been recounted, there was no sign of fraud or violations.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

The new parliament opened on 14 June 2010.<ref name="par_open">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10294271 |work=BBC News |title=Iraq merger forms big Shia bloc |date=11 June 2010 |access-date=17 September 2010 |archive-date=1 July 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100701122631/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10294271.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> After months of fraught negotiations, an agreement was reached on the formation of a new government on November 11.<ref>https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/11/10/world/middleeast/AP-ML-Iraq-Politics.html {{dead link|date=March 2019|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Talabani would continue as president, Al-Maliki would stay on as prime minister and Allawi would head a new security council.

===Iraqi parliamentary election, 2014===
{{main|2014 Iraqi parliamentary election}}
Parliamentary elections were held in Iraq on 30 April 2014. The elections decided the 328 members of the Council of Representatives who will in turn elect the Iraqi President and Prime Minister.

===Iraqi parliamentary election, 2018===
{{main|2018 Iraqi parliamentary election}}

=== Iraqi parliamentary election, 2021 ===
{{main|2021 Iraqi parliamentary election}}
On 30 November 2021, the political bloc led by Shia leader [[Muqtada al-Sadr]] was confirmed the winner of the October [[2021 Iraqi parliamentary election|parliamentary election]]. His [[Sadrist Movement]], won a total of 73 out of the 329 seats in the parliament. The Taqadum, or [[Progress Party (Iraq)|Progress Party]]-led by Parliament Speaker [[Mohamed Al-Halbousi|Mohammed al-Halbousi]], a Sunni – secured 37 seats. Former Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]]'s [[State of Law Coalition|State of Law]] party got 33 seats in parliament. [[Fatah Alliance|Al-Fatah alliance]], whose main components are militia groups affiliated with the Iran-backed [[Popular Mobilization Forces|Popular Mobilisation Forces]], sustained its crushing loss and snatched 17 seats. The [[Kurdistan Democratic Party]] (KDP) received 31 seats, and the [[Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]] (PUK) gained 18.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yuan |first1=Shawn |title=Muqtada al-Sadr bloc confirmed big winner of Iraq's election |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/30/iraq-announces-final-results-of-the-october-legislative-election |work=www.aljazeera.com |date=30 November 2021 |language=en |access-date=23 December 2021 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128210954/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/11/30/iraq-announces-final-results-of-the-october-legislative-election |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== After the election 2022–2025 ====

In June 2022, 73 members of parliament from the [[Sadrist Movement|Sadrist movement]], resigned.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Yuan |first1=Shawn |title=Sadrists quit Iraq's parliament, but al-Sadr isn't going away |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/15/sadrists-quit-iraqs-parliament-but-al-sadr-isnt-going-away |work=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |access-date=2022-10-31 |archive-date=2022-11-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108195713/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/15/sadrists-quit-iraqs-parliament-but-al-sadr-isnt-going-away |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 27 October 2022, [[Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani|Mohammed Shia al-Sudani]], close ally of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, took the office to succeed  [[Mustafa Al-Kadhimi|Mustafa al-Kadhimi]] as new [[Prime Minister of Iraq]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Iraq gets a new government after a year of deadlock – DW – 10/28/2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/iraq-gets-a-new-government-after-a-year-of-deadlock/a-63581601 |work=dw.com |language=en |access-date=2022-10-31 |archive-date=2023-02-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210075414/https://www.dw.com/en/iraq-gets-a-new-government-after-a-year-of-deadlock/a-63581601 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Iraqi parliamentary election, 2025 ===
On 17 November 2025, the [[Independent High Electoral Commission|Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission]] announced that the [[Reconstruction and Development Coalition|Reconstruction and Development coalition]], led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, topped the final results with 46 seats in the 329-member [[Council of Representatives of Iraq|Council of Representatives]], followed by the [[Progress Party (Iraq)|Progress (Taqaddum) party]] of former Parliament Speaker [[Mohamed Al-Halbousi|Mohammed al-Halbousi]] with 36 seats, and the [[State of Law Coalition|State of Law coalition]] of former Prime Minister [[Nouri al-Maliki]] with 29 seats.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Iraqi prime minister’s coalition tops parliamentary elections with 46 seats |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraqi-prime-minister-s-coalition-tops-parliamentary-elections-with-46-seats/3746560 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}</ref> Subsequently, the Shia-led Coordination Framework declared that it had constituted itself as the largest parliamentary bloc by uniting its component parties, thereby positioning itself as a central force in government formation and parliamentary negotiations.<ref name=":4" />

==Issues==

===Corruption===
{{main|Corruption in Iraq}}

According to [[Transparency International]], Iraq's is the most corrupt government in the [[Middle East]], and is described as a "[[hybrid regime]]" (between a "[[flawed democracy]]" and an "[[authoritarian regime]]").<ref>{{cite web|title=Did the wars bring democracy to Afghanistan and Iraq?|url=http://costsofwar.org/article/did-wars-bring-democracy-afghanistan-and-iraq|work=Costs of War|publisher=Brown University|access-date=18 July 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703093122/http://costsofwar.org/article/did-wars-bring-democracy-afghanistan-and-iraq|archive-date=3 July 2011}}</ref> The 2011 report "[[Costs of War Project|Costs of War]]" from [[Brown University]]'s [[Watson Institute for International Studies]] concluded that U.S. military presence in Iraq has not been able to prevent this corruption, noting that as early as 2006, "there were clear signs that post-Saddam Iraq was not going to be the linchpin for a new democratic Middle East."<ref>{{cite web|last=Balaghi|first=Shiva|title=The War on Terror and Middle East Policy Analysis|url=http://costsofwar.org/sites/default/files/articles/45/attachments/Niland%20and%20Balaghi.pdf|work=Costs of War|publisher=Brown University|access-date=18 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011225136/http://costsofwar.org/sites/default/files/articles/45/attachments/Niland%20and%20Balaghi.pdf|archive-date=11 October 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

=== Elite cartel ruling Iraq by ''muhasasa'' ===
{{Further|Iraq#Post-Saddam (2003 – present)}}
During the [[Ba'athist Iraq|regime]] of [[Saddam Hussein]] (1979–2003), several Iraqi opposition groups created a quota system by which [[Sunni Islam]]ic, [[Shia Islam]]ic, [[Kurds#Iraq|Kurdish]] and other religious or ethnic groups would be proportionally represented in a future new government. The U.S. in July 2003 selected the members of the [[Iraqi Governing Council]], the forerunner of the first post–Hussein sovereign [[Iraqi Interim Government|Iraqi (interim) government]], according to that ethno-sectarian quota system.<ref name=Arwa,Ibr>{{Cite web |last=Ibrahim |first=Arwa |date=4 Dec 2019 |title=Muhasasa, the political system reviled by Iraqi protesters |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/4/muhasasa-the-political-system-reviled-by-iraqi-protesters |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=www.aljazeera.com |language=en |archive-date=2022-10-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018224019/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/4/muhasasa-the-political-system-reviled-by-iraqi-protesters |url-status=live }}</ref>

Also in 2003, a "pact" (''muhasasa ta’ifa'') was struck by "the elite", holding that after a national election, the winning parties divide the ministerial positions in direct relationship to their success at the ballot box.<ref name=chatham,2019>{{Cite web|date=1 October 2019|title=Corruption Continues to Destabilize Iraq|url=https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/corruption-continues-destabilize-iraq|url-status=live|access-date=2019-11-04|website=Chatham House|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328190454/https://www.chathamhouse.org/expert/comment/corruption-continues-destabilize-iraq |archive-date=2020-03-28 }}</ref> After 2003, a second agreement (''muhasasa'') was made, holding that ministries and their budgets and other political positions must be proportionally placed under the "control" of "religious [or sectarian or ethnic] groups", "depending mostly on a group's size", presuming such "groups" to be fully represented by one or several parties or lists taking part in the elections,<ref name=U4,muhas,trench>{{Cite web |last=Schöberlein |first=Jennifer |date=2020-12-10 |title=Iraq: Overview of corruption and anti-corruption (sections 'Drivers of corruption', 'The Muhasasa power-sharing agreement' and 'Entrenched but diminishing sectarianism') |url=https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre |language=en |agency=[[Transparency International]] |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019104212/https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> or that national governments should "represent the different ethnic, religious and sectarian identities that make up the Iraqi society", presuming that such "identities" are expressed or represented by existing political parties.<ref name="al-Hasan2015">{{cite web|url=http://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|title=Social Protest in Iraq and Reality of the Internal Shia Dispute (section: 'Roots of the quota system') |publisher=Al Jazeera|author=Harith al-Hasan|date=30 August 2015|access-date=2020-04-18 |archive-date=2020-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726005317/https://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Such agreements between members of the [[elite]] to [[Collusion|collude]] in order to avoid competition, improve their own profits, and dominate the market (of voters in a democracy), have been labeled "elite [[cartel]]".<ref name="al-Hasan2015"/> The political parties themselves, once they win any ministry through the ''muhasasa'' system, benefit financially from state contracts awarded by them to companies run by their party members (see below, section [[#Clientelism, patronage|Clientelism, patronage]]) what makes it even harder for them to step out of the ''muhasasa'' arrangements.<ref name=chatham,2019/> Or, as a researcher phrased it in 2020: "Such elite pacts are notoriously resistant to reform, particularly if any proposed change is perceived to undermine elite interests (…)".<ref name=U4,muhas/>

Although the system functions informally, a group of Norwegian researchers in late 2020 asserted—while citing other researchers but not a basic source—that 54% of the ministry posts would 'normally' go to the Shia, 24% to the Sunni, 18% to the Kurds, and 4% to minorities including the Christians.<ref name=U4>{{Cite web |last=Schöberlein |first=Jennifer |date=2020-12-10 |title=Iraq: Overview of corruption and anti-corruption |url=https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre |language=en |agency=[[Transparency International]] |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019104212/https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> They suggested that the ''muhasasa'' system leads to "a closed system of elite rule… recycling the political elites irrespective of their performance", not urging or inciting the Iraqi politicians to act transparently or accountably or to respond to citizen demands and deliver benefits to the Iraqi population as a whole, but instead making them easily susceptible to corruption, nepotism, clientelism and patronage while focusing on their own (group's) interests and (elite's) survival and consolidation.<ref name=U4/>

This ''muhasasa'' elite cartel (and connected problems) led to massive protests in Iraq in [[2011 Iraqi protests|2011]], [[2012–2013 Iraqi protests|2012–2013]], [[2015–2018 Iraqi protests|2015, 2016, 2018]] and [[2019–2021 Iraqi protests|2019–2021]]. Analysts have seen this ''muhasasa'' system to exist until at least late 2020.<ref name=U4-/> The [[Abdul Mahdi Government]] of 2018 broke with elements of ''muhasasa''. Although his anti-''muhasasa'' [[Sadrist Movement]] retained plurality in the 2021 election, [[2021–2022 Iraqi political crisis|inability to form a government]] eventually led to the party's withdrawal from Parliament, allowing the rival parties to form another ''muhasasa''-based government.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ottaway |first1=Marina |title=Iraq and the Problem of Democracy |url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iraq-and-problem-democracy |website=Wilson Center |language=en |date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-date=July 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713114715/https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iraq-and-problem-democracy |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Incompetent government ====
Those two ''muhasasa'' agreements in and after 2003 (see [[#Elite cartel ruling Iraq by muhasasa|above]]) had the effect that, starting with the first [[Al Maliki I Government|post–2003 Iraqi government after elections]] in 2006, if a party "controlled" a ministry, it appointed also the top positions in their civil services to their party followers and faction members;<ref name=chatham,2019/> also the positions for senior public service were distributed on the basis of "ethnic, religious and/or party affiliation" rather than merit,<ref name=U4,client.>{{Cite web |last=Schöberlein |first=Jennifer |date=2020-12-10 |title=Iraq: Overview of corruption and anti-corruption (section 'Clientelism and patronage') |url=https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre |language=en |agency=[[Transparency International]] |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019104212/https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> professional competence or experience.<ref name="al-Hasan2015"/> This incompetence caused mismanagement in the successive Iraqi governments of [[Nouri al-Maliki|Al-Maliki (2006–2014)]], [[Haider al-Abadi|Al-Abadi (2014–2018)]],<ref name="al-Hasan2015_economy"/><ref name=U4,muhas/> and also [[Adil Abdul-Mahdi|Abdul-Mahdi (2018–2020)]],<ref name=U4->{{Cite web |last=Schöberlein |first=Jennifer |date=2020-12-10 |title=Iraq: Overview of corruption and anti-corruption |url=https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre |language=en |agency=[[Transparency International]] |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019104212/https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=chatham,2019/> leading to hundreds of billions of dollars being wasted on failed projects and the neglect of electricity networks, the transportation sector, economic legislation, and other infrastructure,<ref name="al-Hasan2015_economy">{{cite web|url=http://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|title=Social Protest in Iraq and Reality of the Internal Shia Dispute (section: 'Economic crisis') |publisher=Al Jazeera|author=Harith al-Hasan|date=30 August 2015|access-date=2020-04-18 |archive-date=2020-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726005317/https://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as citizen demands not being responded to.<ref name=U4,muhas/> Such incompetence – next to other forms of political turmoil like corruption (see [[#Clientelism, patronage|next subsection]]) and instability – is considered by many analysts to have also fostered [[Iraq#2014–2017: War against the Islamic State|the rise of ISIL, in 2014]].<ref name="vox2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/2016/4/19/11451550/iraq-protests-sadr|title=The political crisis rocking Baghdad and why it matters for the war on ISIS|publisher=vox.com|access-date=2016-04-30|date=19 April 2016| archive-date=2016-04-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422165545/http://www.vox.com/2016/4/19/11451550/iraq-protests-sadr|url-status=live}}</ref> (During the [[Abdul Mahdi Government#Background|formation of the Abdul Mahdi Government in 2018]], this new prime minister attempted to break through the traditional ''muhasasa'' procedures, but there's no clear information as to how far he succeeded in that, or whether the Iraqi governments since 2018 worked more competently or less corruptly.)

==== Clientelism, patronage ====
Civil services being staffed – under these ''muhasasa'' agreements (see [[#Elite cartel ruling Iraq by muhasasa|above]]) – according to party loyalty had the effect that state contracts would only be awarded by them to "party-affiliated companies and businesspeople",<ref name="al-Hasan2015"/> who would be paid handsomely for their contracted services; even if they hardly, or not at all, actually delivered those services. Such manner of spending state finances has been labeled governmental contracting fraud and structural political corruption: not the general public but privileged companies were being served by the government.<ref name=chatham,2019/> This culture of [[clientelism]]<ref name="al-Hasan2015_economy"/> and "systemic political [[patronage]]"<ref name=bbc26Apr16>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36138283 'Iraq: Sadr supporters in mass protest for political reform'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419174523/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36138283 |date=2023-04-19 }}. [[BBC]], 26 April 2016. Retrieved 14 April 2023.</ref><ref name=Arwa,Ibr/> produced a new class of entrepreneurs, getting rich through close relations with government officials and their lush government contracts.<ref name="al-Hasan2015_economy"/> Meanwhile, politicians themselves lived in wealth, self-enrichment and massive personal protection.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|title=Social Protest in Iraq and Reality of the Internal Shia Dispute (sections: 'Roots of the quota system' and 'Economic crisis') |publisher=Al Jazeera|author=Harith al-Hasan|date=30 August 2015|access-date=2020-04-18 |archive-date=2020-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726005317/https://studies.aljazeera.net/en/reports/2015/08/20158307585163273.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Arwa,Ibr/>

==== Stagnant economy ====
The infrastructure not being maintained or modernized due to governmental incompetence and mismanagement (see [[#Incompetent government|above]]) severely hampered the development of [[Economy of Iraq|private economic activity]], therefore meaning the private sector could not absorb the half million of young people entering the job market every year.<ref name="al-Hasan2015_economy"/> This ''muhasasa''-style 'cartel' government, due to its lack of accountability – politicians being "recycled ... irrespective of their performance" – provided too little incentives for those politicians to build a diversified and competitive economy or "deliver benefits to the population".<ref name=U4,muhas>{{Cite web |last=Schöberlein |first=Jennifer |date=2020-12-10 |title=Iraq: Overview of corruption and anti-corruption (section 'The Muhasasa power-sharing agreement') |url=https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre |language=en |agency=[[Transparency International]] |archive-date=2022-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019104212/https://www.u4.no/publications/iraq-overview-of-corruption-and-anti-corruption-2020 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Lack of commitment to federalism===
Since the adoption of the new Iraqi constitution in 2005, federalism with a heavy emphasis on [[decentralisation]] has been the official model of governance in Iraq. However, certain constitutional stipulations, such as those related to the creation of the Federation Council (the upper house of the legislature) have not been implemented, which remains an issue undermining the full implementation of federalism in the country. In September 2017, a one-sided [[2017 Kurdistan Region independence referendum|referendum]] was held in Iraq's [[Kurdistan Region]] regarding [[Kurdish nationalism|Kurdish independence]], which resulted in 92% (of those participating in the region) voting in favor of independence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 2017 |title=92% of Iraqi Kurds back independence from Baghdad, election commission says |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20170927-iraqi-kurds-vote-overwhelmingly-independence-referendum |access-date=14 November 2017 |publisher=France 24 }}</ref> The referendum was rejected by the federal government and ruled as illegal by the [[Federal Supreme Court of Iraq|Federal Supreme Court]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 November 2017 |title=Iraq court rules no region can secede after Kurdish independence bid |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-kurds/iraqcourt-rules-no-region-can-secede-after-kurdish-independence-bid-idUSKBN1D617O |work=Reuters}}</ref>  Following this, an [[2017 Iraqi-Kurdish conflict|armed conflict]] ensued between the federal government and the [[Kurdistan Regional Government]] which resulted in Kurdish defeat and capitulation; Kurdistan Region subsequently lost territory it had previously occupied, and the president of Kurdistan Region officially resigned,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/kurdish-leader-barzani-resigns-after-independence-vote-backfires-idUSKBN1CY0JR/|title=Kurdish leader Barzani resigns after independence vote backfires|work=Reuters |date=29 October 2017 |last1=Jalabi |first1=Raya |last2=Chmaytelli |first2=Maher }}</ref> and finally, the regional government announced that it would respect the Federal Supreme Court's ruling that no Iraqi province is allowed to secede, effectively abandoning the referendum.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 November 2017 |title=Iraq's Kurdistan says to respect court decision banning secession |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-kurds/iraqs-kurdistan-says-to-respect-court-decision-banning-secession-idUSKBN1DE0XD |work=Reuters}}</ref> According to a report published by [[The Washington Institute for Near East Policy]], a U.S-based think tank, since Kurdistan Region's failed bid to gain independence, the federal government has been severely punishing it both politically and economically. In gradual steps, the federal government has consistently weakened Kurdistan Region's ability to administer its own affairs by revoking crucial authorities that had previously defined its autonomy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/house-divided-can-kurdistan-preserve-its-autonomy|title=A House Divided: Can Kurdistan Preserve Its Autonomy?|publisher=Washington Institute}}</ref> Furthermore, since it won a pivotal [[International Chamber of Commerce|ICC]] arbitration case, the federal government has also been refusing Kurdistan Region access to its most important source of income, namely, oil exports, and the latter has had no other option but to concede.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/iraq-halts-northern-crude-exports-after-winning-arbitration-case-against-turkey-2023-03-25/|title=Iraq halts northern crude exports after winning arbitration case against Turkey|work=Reuters}}</ref> Some have argued that this signals the Iraqi government's intention to abandon federalism and return to a [[Centralized government|centralized political system]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/iraq-demise-federalism|title=Iraq: The Demise of Federalism|date=11 July 2023 |publisher=The Wilson Center}}</ref> and in a leaked letter sent in 2023 to the U.S president, the prime minister of Kurdistan region wrote of an impending collapse of Kurdistan Region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/09/letter-biden-barzani-warns-iraqi-kurdistans-collapse-urges-mediation|title=In letter to Biden, Barzani warns of Iraqi Kurdistan's collapse, urges mediation|publisher=Al-Monitor}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Assyrian politics in Iraq]]
* [[Censorship in Iraq]]
* [[History of Iraq (2003–2011)]]
* [[Reconstruction of Iraq]]
* [[Human rights in post-invasion Iraq]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080813030423/http://www.usip.org/pubs/specialreports/sr160.html Who Are Iraq's New Leaders? What Do They Want?] U.S. Institute of Peace Special Report, March 2006
* [https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/middle_east/03/post_saddam_iraq/html BBC Report: Who's Who in Post-Saddam Iraq] 
* [http://globalcurrencyreset.net/iraq/coalition-politics-university-illinois/ Video Seminar on Iraq Coalition Politics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171119184340/http://globalcurrencyreset.net/iraq/coalition-politics-university-illinois/ |date=2017-11-19 }}: April 20, 2005, sponsored by the Program in Arms Control, Disarmament, and International Security at the University of Illinois.
* M. Ismail Marcinkowski, ''Religion and Politics in Iraq. Shiite Clerics between Quietism and Resistance'', with a foreword by Professor Hamid Algar of the University of California at Berkeley. Singapore: Pustaka Nasional, 2004 ({{ISBN|9971-77-513-1}})
* [http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/ia/archive/view/189837 State and society in Iraq ten years after regime change: the rise of a new authoritarianism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122131940/http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/ia/archive/view/189837 |date=2015-01-22 }} ''[[International Affairs (journal)|International Affairs]]'' (2013)

==External links==
* [http://www.gjpi.org Global Justice Project: Iraq] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090522110647/http://www.gjpi.org/ |date=2009-05-22 }}

{{Iraq topics}}
{{Asia topic|Politics of}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Iraq}}
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[[Category:Politics of Iraq| ]]

[[bn:ইরাক#রাজনীতি]]