I talk about the government system of Iraq from executive to legislative and how elections work in the country. I also highlight the difficulties caused by armed rival factions and terrorist groups due to ongoing insurgency and destablization along the border with Syria due to the Syrian Civil War.

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Post author By Charlie March 4, 2021
The Government System of Iraq
theweeklyrambler.com/the-government-system-of-iraq/
Iraq is a country located in Western
Asia and is a part of the Middle East, it
borders the countries of Iran, Turkey,
Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and
Kuwait, the country also has a small
strip of land that stretches to the coast
of the Persian Gulf, giving Iraq a small
area of access to the wider ocean. The
capital city Baghdad is located in the
central West of the country some way
from the Iranian border.
As is well known in current times the
country has been fairly unstable and
chaotic since the fall of Saddam Hussein
with warring factions, civil strife,
international military operations,
militias some of whom used as proxies
by larger regional powers, and Islamic extremist groups, with one of the most recently
notable being the Islamic State, which gained a foothold in the country from instability
caused by civil war in neighboring Syria. Many areas of Iraq continue to remain unstable,
and attacks, civil unrest, and military confrontations are not uncommon.
Iraq is in an area considered a cradle of civilisation, similar to Iran and other neighboring
countries, which is due to the presence of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. As such
remnants of ancient cities can be found in Iraq such as Uruk, and many,
many civilisations such as various Caliphates, regions, and Empires have risen and fallen
where modern-day Iraq is. This extensive part of ancient history from at least the
6 millennium BC has seen peoples, empires, and caliphates such as Median, Assyria,
the Hellenistic Empire, Parthian, Sassanid and Roman Empires, Rashidun, Umayyad and
Abbasid Caliphates, the Ayyubid Dynasty, the Seljuk, Mongol, Timurid, and Safavid
Empires, the Afsharid Dynasty, and the Ottoman Empire.
During Ottoman rule modern-day Iraq was made up of three provinces or vilayets within
the empire, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire after the First World War the partition of
the Empire led to the creation of Iraq via a British mandate in the League of Nations, on
April 20 1920. The three vilayets became the Kingdom of Iraq which was administered
by the British Empire, Faisal the I was made king of Iraq, part of the Hashemite family,
which brought Iraq and Jordan into a union of sorts. The United Kingdom granted the
Kingdom of Iraq independence in 1932.
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The monarchy would be overthrown by an Arab nationalist anti-British coup in 1958
related also to other economic and political tensions that had sprung in-part from World
War II, this coup came only six months after the King established the Hashemite Arab
Federation between Iraq and Jordon in a failed attempt to ease the growing tensions, this
coup was also known as the 14 July Revolution and Iraq became a Republic, this led to the
Arab Socialist Ba’ath Party coming into power from 1968, and this would lead to Saddam
Hussein coming into power from 1979 as the country’s fifth President.
In 1980 Iraq invaded Iran starting the Iran-Iraq War which caused serious and
devastating losses for both sides and ended in a stalemate, the goal of Iraq was to exploit
any weakness following Iran’s Islamic Revolution and prevent a threat from the Shia
dominated country, as the Ba’ath Party itself was Sunni dominated, Iraq also wished to
become a dominant power in the region. A UN mandated ceasefire put an end to the war,
but both sides claim victory, no territorial changes happened.
In August 1990 the Iraqi Army under Saddam Hussein invaded and occupied Kuwait,
leading to a military response from a coalition of western countries led by the United
States starting the Gulf War, Iraq had occupied Kuwait over failed negotiations for Kuwait
to forgive Iraq’s debt owed to it, and also over territorial and oil disputes, it was also
notable that Iraq was in a desperate economic situation following the Iran-Iraq War. The
Gulf War led to the liberation of Kuwait.
Saddam Hussein and the Ba’ath Party would remain power up until 2003 where a United
States-led coalition of Western powers invaded Iraq on the pretext of seizing weapons of
mass destruction, such as which were never found, the invasion led to the overthrow of
the Ba’ath Party and the death of Saddam Hussein. The invasion is still seen as highly
controversial to this day with many justifying or questioning justification of it and
accusing the US and other powers of having alternative hidden motives, and also blaming
its result on further destabilization and rise of Islamic extremist groups in the Middle
East. Following the invasion, a new constitution was drafted and adopted following multi-
party elections held in 2005 and the US kept a long presence in the country, defending the
Iraqi government from various militia, Islamist extremist, and factional groups, this
presence begun to be scaled down in 2011.
The withdrawal though has since led to an ongoing insurgency in the country, which has
intensified and led to further destabilization, with the Syrian Civil War leading to further
chaos spilling over the border. This led to the rise of ISIL in Iraq, the group took large
swathes of the north and west of the country under its control, although the group has
largely lost most of its territory in the country now following internationally-backed
military responses. Nonetheless the country remains unstable from various internal
groups, civil unrest, and regional proxy operations such as from Iran.
By far the largest religion in Iraq is Sunni Islam which is also the country’s official religion
and of which no laws can go against established provisions of Islam, although freedom for
other religions to practice is given by the constitution. There are various ethnic groups,
with the two largest being Arabs and Kurds, the Kurds themselves have often advocated
for autonomy in the country and even full sovereignty. The official languages are Arabic

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and Kurdish, other officially recognised languages include Turkmen, Neo-Aramaic Syriac,
and Armenian. The country’s currency is the Iraqi dinar, and the country’s population
currently stands at over 40,834,000+.
Government Type
Iraq Coat of Arms.

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Today Iraq is a federation of regions and governorates headed by a singular federal
government which is a semi-presidential Republic with a President who is Head of State
and a Prime Minister who is Head of Government. The federal parliament of Iraq is made
up of a single unicameral chamber called the Council of Representatives. There also exists
a Federation Council for legislative cooperation between Governorates and Regions at a
federal level. Multiple parties are allowed.
Entities or programs, including political parties, that adopt, incite, glorify, promote, or
justify racism, terrorism, accusations of being an infidel or ethnic cleansing, including
the Saddamist Ba’ath in Iraq and its symbols, under any name, are not allowed.
As Iraq is a federation this means regions and provinces within Iraq receive self-
governing and legislative rights, all ruled over and overseen by a federal government and
legislature, whereby state/province laws cannot come into conflict with the federal laws
and constitution. As it stands there are 19 provinces (also called governorates), three of
which makes up the autonomous Kurdistan region, which is currently the only region.
Regions are more autonomous than Governorates, although Governorates are also
decentralized but what one and the other can do differs. The constitution allows
Governorates to merge into regions via referendum consent.
Naturally due to instability and insurgency in Iraq partaking in politics can be a
dangerous affair due to assassinations and terrorist attacks, attacks can also be especially
prevalent during elections which can discourage many from voting, which undermines
democracy. Democracy in Iraq also faces problems from internal corruption and regional
influence. As Iraq is still a developing democracy there is still much regulatory and
legislative change required for it to be considered a protected and safeguarded “full
democracy” and to meet its constitutional obligations.
The Executive Government

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The Al Zaqura Building, office of the Prime Minister of Iraq. Photo by Yôudgvjjj
from Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source.
The constitution says that the federal executive power consists of the President of the
Republic as Head of State and the Council of Ministers, the highest executive decision-
making body of the federal Government. The President can be assisted by one or more
Vice-Presidents, regulated by law.
Presidential Vacancy and Absence
If for whatever reason the position of President becomes permanently vacant then the
Council of Representatives elect a new President to serve the remainder of the term,
during the time where there is no President under these circumstances a Vice-President
handles the Presidency until a new one is elected within 30-days. If there is no Vice-
President then the Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives will instead take function
of the presidency during this peroid.
During any temporary absence for whatever reason the Presidency during this time is
handled by a Vice-President until the President returns.
Presidential Duties
It is the duty of the President to guarantee commitment to the constitution and preserve
Iraq’s independence, sovereignty, unity, and safety of its territories, in accordance with
constitutional provisions.
The President has the power to pardon but it is significantly limited, the President can
only pardon on recommendation of the Prime Minister but cannot be for a private claim,
and cannot pardon those who have been convicted of committing international crimes,
terrorism, or financial or administrative corruption.
The President ratifies international treaties and agreements after they have been
approved by the Council of Representatives. They will automatically be ratified within 15-
days even if the President makes no move to ratify them.

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The President ratifies laws passed by the parliament (Council of Representatives) and if
no move to ratify such is made within 15-days then ratification is automatic.
The President convenes the Council of Representatives after elections have taken place.
The President accredits ambassadors.
The President issues presidential decrees as guided by the constitution.
President is commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces but only in a ceremonial
and honorary fashion.
Presidential Removal
Presidential removal is handled by the Council of Representatives (and involves the
Federal Supreme Court) and is explained under The Legislative Government section
under Other Duties of the Council of Representatives sub-section.
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister is the Head of Federal Government and the Council of Ministers is the
highest executive decision-making body of the executive Federal Government.
It is important for the Prime Minister and his/her Government to maintain the
confidence of the Council of Representatives to remain in power.
The President designates a nominee of the largest bloc in the Council of Representatives
after parliamentary elections to form a Government, namely the Council of Ministers,
within 15-days. The Prime Minister names members of the Council of Ministers within
30-days, if the designated person fails to do this in the allotted time then the President
will choose a new nominee as designate within 15-days, and so on so forth.
The designated Prime Minister presents names of his/her members of the Council of
Ministers and ministerial program to the Council of Representatives. This presentation
must be given absolute majority confidence by the Council of Representatives to officially
form Government and for the designate to become Prime Minister. If the confidence is
not won then the President chooses another nominee as designate within 15-days and so
on so forth.
Most conditions to be Prime Minister are same as those required to be President, apart
from instead needing to be over 35-years-old and have a college degree or its equivalent.
The Prime Minister is direct executive authority and is responsible for handling of general
policy of the State. The Prime Minister is also the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s
armed forces. The Prime Minister presides over meetings of the Council of Ministers and
directs it. The Prime Minister can dismiss and replace Ministers with the consent of the
Council of Representatives.
The duties of the Council of Ministers include planning and execution of general policy
and plans of the State and overseeing the work of Ministries that are led and competent to
Ministers directed to them by the Prime Minister, and also oversees departments not

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associated with a ministry. The Council of Ministers proposes draft Government bills and
decides on their introduction to the Council of Representatives; the Council of Ministers
issues rules, instructions and, decisions by decrees for the purpose of implementing laws
approved by Parliament and ratified by the President; preparing draft of general state
budget, closing account, and development plans.
The Council of Ministers also recommends appointments of
undersecretaries, ambassadors, state senior officials, the Chief of Staff of the Armed
Forces and his/her deputies, division commanders or higher, Director of National
Intelligence, and heads of security institutions for approval to the Council of
Representatives.
Council of Ministers negotiates and signs international treaties and agreements to be
approved by the Council of Representatives and ratified by the President.
If the office of Prime Minister becomes vacant for whatever reason the President takes
over its duties and will designate a Prime Minister from nominees to form a new Council
of Ministers within 15-days.
Emergency Provisions
States of War and Emergnecy must be approved via a two-thirds majority of the Council
of Representatives, States of Emergnecy last for 30-days but can be extended via 30-days
each time if given two-thirds approval. These State of War and Emergnecy give special
powers to the Prime Minister, Government, and authorities for effective handling of the
situation.
The powers are regulated by law and cannot contradict consitituion. The Prime Minister
presents measures taken and results to the Council of Representatives.
The Legislative Government

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Council of Representatives meeting place. Photo by James (Jim) Gordon from Wikimedia
Commons/Flickr. CC BY 2.0. Source.
The legislative government is made up of a unicameral chamber that is the Council of
Representatives, the single equal chamber’s main job is to have legislation introduced,
scrutinize and debate such legislation, possibly amend it and then pass or reject it.
Another job of the chamber is to provide oversight of the executive government. It is also
its job to approve the country’s general budget as introduced by the Government on an
annual basis.
The Council of Representatives can be dissolved for fresh early elections via an absolute
majority vote of its members or via a request made to the Prime Minister by at least one-
third of members and which is also approved by the President of the Republic. During
times Prime Minister is being questioned the Council of Representatives cannot be
dissolved.
As it stands the Council of Representatives has 329 members, the constitution allows one
seat per 100,000 Iraqi citizens.
The Council of Representatives establishes its own internal rules of operation and
procedure. Complaints can be made for removal of legislators by other legislators, such a
removal requires a two-thirds majority to approve, and the decision can appealed at the
Federal Supreme Court within 30-days.
The President of the Republic convenes the first session of the Council of Representatives
after parliamentary elections have taken place. The first session is chaired by its eldest
member and a Speaker and two deputies are elected by the members in this session,
elected via absolute majority.

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The Speaker aided by his/her deputies represent the Council of Representatives, regulate
debate and enforces internal rules and procedure.
An extraordinary session of the parliament on a specified topic of great importance or
necessity can be called by either the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the
Speaker of the Council of Representatives, or at least 50 members of the Council of
Representatives. This same process can be used to also extend sessions of parliament for
up to 30-days.
Legislation can be introduced to the Council of Representatives by the President the
Republic or the Government via the Council of Ministers, individual members can also
propose legislation to the Council of Representatives with the support of 9 other
members. Specialized parliamentary committees can also propose legislation.
Other Duties of the Council of Representatives
As well as enacting Federal law and giving Government oversight, the Council of
Representatives also have numerous other duties. This includes electing the country’s
President, and regulation of international treaty and agreements process and approving
them by two-thirds majorities.
The parliament also approves various appointments including of the President and
members of the Federal Court of Cassation, Chief Public Prosecutor, and President of
Judicial Oversight Committee via absolute majority and based on proposal from the
Higher Juridicial Council.
The parliament approves ambassadors and those with special grades, who are proposed
by the Council of Ministers.
The parliament approves the Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, his assistants, those of the rank of
division commander and above, and director of the intelligence service, who are proposed
by the Council of Ministers.
An absolute majority of members can bring forth a petition to question the President of
the Republic. The parliament will also decide by an absolute majority whether to remove
the President of the Republic if they have been convicted by the Federal Supreme Court of
either perjury of constitutional oath, violation of the constitution, or high treason.
Part of Government oversight includes ability to direct questions at the Prime Minister
and the Ministers on any subject within their specialty and competence and these
questions must be answered, only members who raised the question/s have the right to
comment on responses.
At least 25-members can raise a general issue for discussion to inquire about a policy and
performance of the Council of Ministers or one of the Ministries, this is submitted to the
Speaker, and the Prime Minister or the Ministers must give a date they will come before
the Parliament for discussion of the issue/s.

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With agreement of 25-members, an inquiry can be directed on the Prime Minister or
Ministers to call them to account on issues within their authority.
Issue of confidence can be brought up against a Minister or the Prime Minister which is
done via agreement of at least 50-members via a request and after any questioning has
taken place on said individuals. The President of the Republic can also submit a request to
the parliament for withdrawal of confidence from the Prime Minister. Withdrawal of
confidence can be completed also via request of at least one-fifth of members only after
any inquiry has taken place against them. Outside of that confidence can be withdrawn
from the Prime Minister via an absolute majority.
If confidence is withdrawn from a Minister or Prime Minister they must resign. In the
case of the Prime Minister losing confidence the entire Government must resign. Prime
Minister and Ministers continue in a caretaker role for no longer than 30-days until a new
Government is formed.
The parliament also gives it consent to declarations of war and to states of emergency via
a two-thirds majority. States of Emergency when approved expire after 30-days but can
be extended for up to 30-days again via another two-thirds majority for as long as
needed.
Federation Council
There is a Federation Council that gives representation to representatives from regions
and governorates on a federal level, although it does not have the power to enact
legislation. It is not part of the federal parliament and is merely an advisory council in
respects of federal representation.
The Council of Representatives enacts a law via a two-thirds majority that regulates its
formation, competencies, membership conditions, and all else connected with it.
The Electoral System

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Photo by NordNordWest from Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source.
Presidential elections are performed solely by members of the Council of Representatives.
Members of the Council of Representatives elect the President from among nominated
candidates via a two-thirds majority. If no candidates get the required majority in the
1 round a 2 round is held between the top two candidates which is won via simple
majority.
Presidential candidates are nominated as regulated by law. Those nominated must be
Iraqi by birth to Iraqi parents, fully qualified and over the age of 40, of good reputation
and political experience, known for integrity, uprightness, fairness, and loyalty to the
homeland, and is free of any conviction of a crime of moral turpitude. One person may
only hold the position of President for two terms.
Parliamentary elections happen every 4-years to elect the members of the Council of
Representatives. Members are elected from single-seat constituencies using a first-past-
the-post system. The electoral system is regulated by law and not fixed constitutionally,
and thus is easier to change.
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The constitution states to be elected a member of the Council of Representatives one
much be a fully qualified Iraqi, with all other requirements regulated by law rather than
being fixed in place constitutionally. It is required by the constitution that at least one-
quarter of the Council of Representatives members are women. Membership of the
Council of Representatives cannot be combined with any other work or official position.
To vote in elections one must be an Iraqi citizen who is at least 18-years-old. Voting is not
mandatory.
Sources
The source for this post comes from Iraq’s 2005 constitution (constituteproject.org) and
so should be as up to date as possible but as always there is the chance, I missed things
and misinterpreted other things and of course the constitution can be amended and so
this post may eventually become outdated, as such it is suggested to use cross-research if
using this in a serious capacity.
Amendments to the constitution are proposed by the President of the Republic and
Council of Ministers collectively, or by at least one-fifth of the members of the Council of
Representatives. Passage of amendment requires at least two-thirds majority in the
Council of Representatives, approval in referendum and ratification by the President of
the Republic. Passage of amendments on citizens’ rights and liberties requires two-thirds
majority vote of Council of Representatives after two successive electoral terms, approval
in referendum and then ratification by the President of the Republic.
Next up will be the government system of the Republic of Ireland.
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