Iraq Fails to Elect a President on February 1, 2026 - Election Postponed Again

Baghdad, Iraq — Iraq’s parliament again failed to elect a president on Sunday, February 1, 2026, deepening a political impasse that has stalled government formation weeks after the 2025 parliamentary elections. Despite scheduling a session for today to choose the largely ceremonial head of state, lawmakers postponed the vote without electing a president. (Middle East Monitor)

Under Iraq’s constitution, the Council of Representatives must elect the president within 30 days of its first session following parliamentary elections. However, continuous disagreements between major political factions — especially within the Kurdish camp — have repeatedly delayed the vote, pushing the process past constitutional timelines. (964media)

Why the Election Was Not Held

The immediate reason for today’s setback was a lack of agreement between the country’s two main Kurdish parties — the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) — on a single candidate. Both parties have nominated their own contenders for the presidency, which by convention is reserved for a Kurdish politician. Without a unified nominee, the session did not achieve the required quorum necessary to proceed with the vote. (شفق نيوز)

Parliament’s political leadership has now given Kurdish blocs one week to break the deadlock and find a compromise candidate, while also seeking legal clarification on whether official holidays should count toward the constitutional deadline. (شفق نيوز)

Broader Political Context

The president’s election has wider implications for Iraq’s government formation. Once a president is chosen, Iraqi law requires the president to appoint a prime minister, who will then form a cabinet and seek parliamentary approval. Shiite-majority blocs have already nominated former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki as their choice for prime minister, a move that has drawn international controversy and pressure, particularly from the United States. (Reuters)

As of February 1, Iraq remains without a newly elected president, and political negotiations continue behind closed doors to resolve the stalemate and complete the constitutional process for forming a new government.