(MENAFN) Iraqi politicians are calling for a swift formation of a new government following last week’s parliamentary elections, according to local media.

Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi on Sunday evening to discuss the results. Maliki’s media office said the two emphasized the importance of “accelerating the formation of a government that is capable of meeting the citizens’ demands and achieving their aspirations.”

Preliminary results from the Nov. 11 elections show Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s Reconstruction and Development Coalition leading with 1.317 million votes, followed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, with roughly 1.099 million. Halbousi’s Progress Party ranked third with over 900,000 votes, and Maliki’s State of Law Coalition came fourth with more than 700,000 votes.

Iraq’s electoral commission is expected to finalize results this week after reviewing appeals.

Sudani said he is open to dialogue and negotiations with all parties to form the new government.

Shia parties and blocs currently hold a majority in parliament. Iraq’s power-sharing system traditionally allocates the presidency to Kurds, the premiership to Shias, and the parliamentary speakership to Sunnis.

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