Iraq Presidential Race Sees Forty-Four Candidates

(MENAFN) Iraqi Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi disclosed Monday that 44 contenders have formally entered the race for the nation's presidential position, as the nomination period nears its conclusion.

"The number of candidates for the position of president has reached 44," Halbousi said in statements carried by a state news agency.

He confirmed the application deadline expires later Monday.

The presidential selection follows Iraq's Nov. 11 parliamentary elections—the sixth electoral cycle since the 2003 US invasion toppled the previous regime.

Under Iraq's constitutional framework, lawmakers hold the authority to elect the president and approve the government's formation.

Iraq's established power-sharing arrangement among dominant political factions customarily designates the prime minister role to a Shiite representative, assigns the presidency to a Kurdish figure, and reserves the parliamentary speaker position for a Sunni leader.

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