Parliamentary Elections 2025

Final results and political analysis

By Hanan Qia

The Chaldean Community Foundation (CCF) Iraq Mission has been closely monitoring the 2025 national parliamentary elections. With permanent staff in the Nineveh Plain and ongoing work and visits in the region, the CCF has established strong relationships with political leadership. While the election results brought no major surprises, the formation of the new government is likely to see some personnel changes, even as the major parties and their coalitions remain largely intact. CCF leadership and staff maintain regular and positive interactions with all major parties.

The Independent High Electoral Commission of Iraq officially announced the final results on November 16, 2025, revealing notable shifts in Iraq’s political landscape. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani, emerged as the top vote-getter, positioning him to lead the formation of the next government.

Key Observations and Analysis

Historic Win for Al-Sudani: The Reconstruction and Development Coalition’s 46 seats give Prime Minister Al-Sudani a strong mandate to form the next government, reflecting public support for his previous administration.

Strength of the Coordinating Framework: Combined, the major parties within the “Coordinating Framework” (Reconstruction and Development, State of Law, Sadiqoun, Badr, and National State Forces Coalition) form a substantial parliamentary bloc, providing significant leverage in coalition talks.

Kurdish Leadership Maintained: The KDP retains its position as the dominant Kurdish party with 26 seats, while the PUK holds 15 seats, maintaining influence in both regional and national politics.

Sunni Bloc Rise: The Progress Party (Takadum), led by Mohammed Al-Halbousi, secured 27 seats, signaling a stronger Sunni voice and increased weight in coalition negotiations.

Seat Distribution Considerations: Iraq’s 329-seat parliament allocates seats based on electoral district results. The final counts now clearly define parliamentary blocs and the balance of power, shaping the election of the parliamentary speaker, the presidency, and the next cabinet formation.

Political Implications

The results set the stage for intense negotiations among winning blocs, including forming broader alliances, electing the parliamentary speaker and president, and appointing the largest bloc’s candidate—likely Al-Sudani—to form the next government. The outcome underscores Iraq’s complex power dynamics and suggests that the coming months will be decisive in shaping the country’s domestic and foreign policy priorities.

Christian Minority Representation

Within Iraq’s 329-seat parliament, five seats are reserved for the Christian minority. Under the current electoral law, all voters—including non-Christians—can vote for these reserved seats. This has led to political maneuvering, with powerful parties mobilizing large groups of voters to secure these seats as an “easy gain” to expand their parliamentary influence. As a result, the Christian community often does not directly elect representatives who genuinely reflect their interests, leading to tension and a sense of underrepresentation.

In 2025, influence over these seats shifted from the Babylon Movement toward the Kurdish Democratic Party. The long-term implications of this change remain unclear. Nonetheless, there is hope that Christian representatives in Parliament will faithfully represent the needs and interests of Iraq’s Christian population—an increasingly small community that has maintained a historic presence in the region for centuries.