Iraq Elections: Prime Minister Sudani Poised for Second Term Victory
Iraq's incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s bloc reportedly secured the largest share of votes in Tuesday’s general election, which saw a higher-than-expected 56.1% turnout despite calls for a boycott.
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WISE NEWS PRESS / BAGHDAD, IRAQ — Nov. 12, 2025
Following the general election held on Tuesday in Iraq, incumbent Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is reportedly poised to secure a substantial majority, setting the stage for a potential second term in power.
While the official preliminary results of the election have not yet been announced, a source close to Sudani told the news agency AFP that the ruling bloc achieved a significant victory. Two other unnamed sources familiar with the results also confirmed that Sudani’s alliance is the "largest bloc in parliament, with approximately 50 seats."
However, even if Sudani wins the election, he will not automatically return as prime minister. The process of forming a government in Iraq takes months, as leaders are determined through negotiations among members of parliament, not direct voter mandate. The current Prime Minister came to power in 2022 with the backing of Iran-aligned Shia parties.
By tradition in post-invasion Iraq, the powerful prime ministerial post is held by a Shia Muslim, the speaker of parliament by a Sunni, and the largely symbolic presidency by a Kurd. Only one prime minister has managed to retain the seat for more than one term since the 2003 US invasion.
Voter Turnout Exceeded Expectations
Despite ongoing issues such as inadequate infrastructure, disrupted public services, and chronic corruption in the country of 46 million people, Iraq has managed to stay out of the recent violence and conflicts in the Middle East. Sudani's first term saw Baghdad transform into a lively construction hub with new tunnels and bridges being built.
The Iraqi Election Commission announced today that voter turnout exceeded expectations, reaching 56.1%. Turnout in the 2021 election was a record low of 41%.
A powerful figure in Iraqi politics, Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, had called for a boycott of the election, which he termed "flawed." Sadr’s movement won the most seats in the 2021 elections but failed to form a government coalition with rival Shia parties, subsequently deciding to boycott the system.
