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Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” i...
A coalition led by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani came first in Iraq's parliamentary election, the Independent High Electoral Commission said on Wednesday. His coalition received 1.317 million votes in Tuesday's election, the commission said.
Al-Sudani was seeking a second term, but many young voters viewed the ballot largely as a vehicle for established parties to divide Iraq’s oil revenues.
He positioned himself as a leader capable of steering Iraq out of years of instability, highlighting steps he had taken against entrenched parties that had helped bring him to power.
The electoral commission said voter turnout reached 56.11%.
"The voter turnout is clear evidence of another success, reflected in the restoration of confidence in the political system,” al-Sudani said in a televised speech following the announcement of the initial results.
No single party can form a government alone in Iraq’s 329-member legislature. Parties must form alliances with other groups to establish an administration, a complex process that can take months.
Election results and expert analysis
Omar Ahmed, head of the Independent High Electoral Commission, said the process had been professional and impartial. Preliminary results show the Reconstruction and Development Coalition received 411,026 votes, placing first, while the Taqaddum (Progress) Party came second with 284,109 votes.
Activist and political analyst Ali Muallem noted that higher voter turnout was a positive sign, particularly given the boycott by the Sadrist Movement. However, liberal and Tishreen (October) movement groups saw weak performance. Muallem added that lists linked to armed factions face major challenges, with regional backers currently weakened, compelling these groups to adapt to new international realities.
He also said the formation of the next government will depend heavily on alliance-building, particularly within the Shia bloc, and if Sudani secures 60–70 seats, this could strengthen his position for the premiership.
An eruption of Indonesia’s Mount Anak Krakatau has disrupted air travel, school activities and fishing operations, with hundreds of passengers stranded at Jakarta’s main airport on Sunday.
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday that the United States must recognise that the “rules of the game” in its war against Iran had changed “before it is too late”, a day after Washington struck several Iranian tankers in the Gulf.
U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner have arrived in Moscow for peace talks on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, two people familiar with the matter said. They were met by Russian Presidential Envoy Kirill Dmitriev.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end the Ukraine war.
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has left for France for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Paris, including a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Adidas is facing calls for a boycott after featuring former Israeli soldier Shalev Biton in a campaign for its Single Shoe Service, as critics question the choice against the backdrop of the Gaza war and thousands of life-changing injuries.
Two Greek military pilots were killed on Saturday when an F-4 Phantom fighter jet crashed during an air show at Tanagra air base, north of Athens, officials said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin held more than three hours of talks with U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner in Moscow on efforts to end the Ukraine war.
U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told reporters on Saturday that there is no plan underway to force Palestinians out of Gaza, following Israel's government proposal on relocation plans for people in Gaza.
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