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Al-Sudani's Coalition Wins Iraq's 2025 Parliamentary Election, Secures 61 Seats

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 12th 2025 at 17:51 GMT by Al Jazeera English

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Iraq’s 2025 Parliamentary Election: Al Sudani’s Coalition Takes the Lead

In the first parliamentary election held since the 2021 vote, the coalition led by former oil minister and new Prime Minister Mustafa Al Sudani emerged as the clear winner, securing a plurality of the 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. The results, announced in the early hours of November 13, signal a tentative shift toward a more technocratic, reform‑oriented government—although the path ahead remains fraught with sectarian tensions, powerful militias, and the geopolitical tug‑of‑war between Tehran and Washington.

A Brief Election Background

Iraq’s parliamentary elections are conducted under a proportional‑representation system that allocates seats to 18 electoral districts. The country’s latest poll was scheduled for November 12 after the dissolution of the previous parliament in September—an unprecedented move that followed weeks of public protests over corruption, fuel shortages, and stalled reforms. The new electoral law, approved in 2024, was designed to curb the influence of militia‑backed parties by requiring a minimum of 12 % of the vote in each district for a party to win seats, a provision that critics argue still leaves the door open for armed groups to win representation through informal agreements.

Al Sudani’s coalition, known as the “Al‑Sudani Popular Front,” ran under a unified banner that drew together a spectrum of Shiite and secular parties. In the official pre‑campaign briefing, Al Sudani promised a “clean” parliament that would tackle corruption, modernise the state, and deliver jobs to a population that has been in the grip of high unemployment rates for years. He also pledged to end the practice of “party‑to‑party” deals that often favour militia interests over public welfare.

The Numbers

The front‑court numbers show Al Sudani’s coalition with 27 % of the national vote, translating to 61 seats (18.6 % of the chamber). This was a modest improvement over its 2021 tally of 48 seats, but still short of the 165 seats needed for an outright majority. The second‑place group was the Sadrist Movement, led by Muqtada al‑Sadr, which won 33 seats (10 % of the total) with a 17 % vote share. The Kurdish parties—Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)—collectively captured 45 seats (13.7 %) across the four Kurdistan districts. Other significant players included the Islamic Dawa Party‑Iraq Organization, the Al‑Jabari Party, and a handful of smaller secular groups.

The voter turnout, at 46 %, was a record high for Iraq’s post‑war elections, though still well below the 55 % average of the 2005, 2010, and 2014 polls. Analysts attribute the improvement to increased public confidence in the electoral process—an effect of the new law that barred militias from running as political parties on the ballot.

What the Results Mean

While Al Sudani’s coalition falls short of a majority, it now holds the most seats in the chamber, positioning him to lead the negotiation process for a governing coalition. His platform, centered on economic liberalisation, anti‑corruption measures, and a reduction in foreign interference, is likely to resonate with both Shiite clerics who favour pragmatic governance and secular activists who are weary of the status quo.

However, the coalition’s success does not automatically translate into policy victories. The Iraqi parliament is still highly fragmented, and coalition partners often hold divergent agendas. Al Sudani will need to make concessions to key parties—especially those representing minority groups such as Sunnis and Kurds—if a stable government is to form. In particular, the KDP and PUK have historically held considerable sway over parliamentary votes, and their cooperation is indispensable to secure a majority.

External Influences

Iraq’s elections are conducted under the watchful eyes of both Tehran and Washington. Iran has long maintained influence over Shiite parties and militias, and Al Sudani’s coalition is no exception. Several members of the Dawa Party and the Sadrist Movement have close ties to Iranian political elites, raising concerns that the new parliament might become a platform for Tehran’s strategic interests. In contrast, Al Sudani himself has pledged to reduce Iranian influence, a promise that may be scrutinised by the United States and its Gulf allies.

In a statement on the day of the results, Al Sudani said: “We will be a government that works for the people, not for external interests.” The Iraqi Prime Minister has also signalled a willingness to engage with the United Nations and the European Union to secure investment and aid for infrastructure projects that could stimulate job growth.

Looking Ahead

The next step for Al Sudani’s coalition is the formal negotiation of a coalition agreement. Historically, coalition talks in Iraq can stretch for weeks, as parties vie for ministerial portfolios and policy priorities. If successful, the new cabinet will have to confront several pressing challenges: the reconstruction of war‑torn regions, the revitalisation of the oil sector, and the establishment of a more transparent public procurement system.

The opposition parties, particularly the Sadrist Movement, have already signaled their readiness to cooperate on reforms that can curb corruption. However, they remain wary of any agreements that would diminish their influence in the security sector.

In the coming days, Al Sudani’s coalition will also have to navigate the delicate balance between maintaining the support of its diverse coalition partners and ensuring that its reform agenda does not alienate the militias that have played a decisive role in Iraq’s recent history.

Bottom Line

The 2025 parliamentary elections marked a watershed moment for Iraq. Al Sudani’s coalition, though lacking an outright majority, has captured the public imagination by promising a cleaner, more efficient government. Whether this promise will materialise remains to be seen, but the new parliament has certainly laid the groundwork for a potentially transformative era in Iraqi politics. The world will be watching closely as the coalition negotiates the fragile tapestry of alliances that will ultimately shape Iraq’s future.