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Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's Reconstruction and Development Coalition secured the highest vote share in Iraq's general elections, according to unofficial results announced by the country's electoral commission.
Judge Omar Ahmed Mohammed, president of the Iraqi Independent High Electoral Commission Council, presented the preliminary results at a press conference alongside commission members following voting that concluded yesterday. The outcome positions Sudani to potentially continue leading the country's government, though final coalition negotiations remain ahead.
The prime minister's alliance captured first place in the capital Baghdad, where it outperformed former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi's Taqaddum Party and ex-Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law Coalition, which finished second and third respectively. The coalition also led in multiple southern provinces, reflecting its strength in predominantly Shia regions.
"Our alliance 'Reconstruction and Development' is first because it believes in the principle of 'Iraq first,'" Sudani said in a statement celebrating the results. He added that Iraq would remain the priority "with the determination of its devoted sons" and thanked citizens for supporting "our journey of work, construction and success."
Provincial results revealed distinct regional voting patterns across Iraq's diverse political landscape. In the northern city of Mosul, the Kurdistan Democratic Party led by Masoud Barzani claimed first place, with Halbousi's party second and Sudani's coalition third. The KDP similarly dominated in Erbil and Duhok, strongholds of Kurdish political influence.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan secured top positions in Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk, where Iraq's complex ethnic makeup produced varied results. In Kirkuk, the PUK led, followed by Halbousi's party, the United Iraqi Turkmen Front in third, and the KDP in fourth, with the Arab Alliance and Iraqi Azm Alliance rounding out the top six.
Southern provinces showed strong support for Sudani's coalition, with first-place finishes in Najaf, Karbala, Muthanna, Maysan, Dhi Qar, Babylon and Qadisiyah. However, in Basra, the country's oil-rich economic hub, local Governor Asaad al-Eidani's Tasmim Coalition captured the top spot.
In predominantly Sunni Anbar and Salah al-Din provinces, Halbousi's Taqaddum Party finished first, underscoring his continued influence in western Iraq. The results in Diyala showed Shia militia leader Hadi al-Amiri's Badr Movement leading, with Halbousi second and Khamis Khanjar's Siyada Alliance third.
The Sadiqun list, affiliated with the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, placed fifth in Baghdad and second in Basra, demonstrating the continued electoral presence of Iran-aligned Shia factions. Former Prime Minister Maliki's State of Law Coalition secured third in Baghdad and fourth in Basra, while finishing second in Muthanna.
Supporters of the prime minister celebrated in Baghdad streets, driving through the capital to mark his coalition's performance. The electoral commission will now proceed with the official certification process before final seat allocations are determined and coalition-building negotiations commence.
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