Iraq
Iraq exhibits low-range performance in the Rights and Rule categories of the Global State of Democracy framework and it performs in the mid-range in Representation and Participation. It is among the bottom 25 per cent of countries for almost half of the factors in the framework. Compared to five years prior, it has experienced significant improvements in Absence of Corruption and in Personal Integrity and Security. Iraq’s economy depends on oil revenues, which constitute 88 percent of government income, making socio-economic development vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices.
Iraq, once the site of ancient Mesopotamia, was under Ottoman rule for nearly 400 years, then British control for twelve years after World War I, until gaining independence as a kingdom in 1932. A violent military coup in 1958 overthrew the monarchy, assassinating King Faisal II and establishing a republic. After multiple coups, the Ba'ath Party seized power in 1968, with Saddam Hussein ruling from 1979 to 2003. Under Ba'athist rule, Iraq maintained a state-controlled economy and centralized power through repression. The 2003 US-led invasion overthrew the regime but also dismantled state institutions, with the Coalition Provisional Authority’s transitional reforms fueling ethnic and sectarian divisions.
Competitive elections have taken place in Iraq since 2005, following constitution's establishment of a federal parliamentary democracy that recognized the autonomy of the Kurdistan Region. Iraq’s political system is heavily shaped by ‘muhasasa ta'ifia’ —a sectarian quota-based power-sharing arrangement that allocates key government positions among the major ethno-religious groups: the Prime Minister is traditionally a Shia Arab, the President a Kurd, and the Parliament Speaker a Sunni Arab. This system has fostered patronage, enabling the division of public resources among Shia-led ruling elites and their networks.
Public frustration with the political system, a fragile economy, and politically sanctioned corruption are key areas of grievances. Demands for reform fueled the 2019 mass protests, which cut across sectarian lines and were met with repression, also highlighting deep political divisions. Disputes over the nomination of the post of Prime Minister in 2022, coupled with the resignation of a significant bloc of MPs and violent clashes in the streets, reflects this dynamic. Since then, legislative paralysis and political deadlock persist, with just a few occasional breakthroughs and little room for the emergence of alternative forms of governance or political identification outside the existing framework.
Iraq performs in the bottom 25 per cent of countries with regard to Gender Equality. While the number of women parliamentarians has never been higher, women and girls are at serious risk of gender-based violence, including ‘honour killings’. Legal protections are also impacted by personal status laws, with unequal application based on religious affiliation. Activism around gender issues has led to resistance, with authorities prohibiting media outlets from using the words ‘gender’ and ‘homosexuality’. LGBTQIA+ rights are highly restricted, same-sex relations and transgender expression recently criminalized.
Looking ahead, the parliamentary elections scheduled for the fall of 2025 will offer a key opportunity to assess the level of public trust in democratic institutions. Popular discontent remains high, and the government’s often violent response to dissent highlights the fragility of governance. In this regard, close attention should also be paid to Participation and Rights, particularly Civil Liberties.
Last Updated: June 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
November 2025
Incumbent PM’s coalition wins more seats in parliamentary elections
On 11 November, Iraq held parliamentary elections for all 329 seats in the Council of Representatives. The Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) announced the results on 17 November. The Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by incumbent PM Al-Sudani, secured the largest share with 46 seats, followed by The State of Law Coalition with 29, and Taqaddum and the Sadiqoon Movement with 27 each. Voter turnout rose to 56.0 per cent from 43.5 per cent in 2021, though registration remained low. The Sadrist Movement, previously the largest party until its 2022 resignation, boycotted the vote. Of 2,248 women running as candidates (28.9 per cent), 84 won seats (83 secured by a quota), representing 25.2 per cent of parliament, down from 95 seats (28.9 per cent) previously. Observers described the elections as generally peaceful, despite at least 24 violent incidents on election day, including assaults and intimidation of voters, polling staff and monitors. In the lead-up, a candidate was killed in a car-bomb attack. A total of 872 appeals were filed, with results sent to the Federal Supreme Court for ratification on 8 December.
Sources: Independent High Electoral Commission, Shafaq News (1), Shafaq News (2), Shafaq News (3), +964 Media, International IDEA, IPU Parline
Parliamentary elections register increase in voter turnout
Voter turnout in Iraq’s parliamentary elections held on 11 November reached its highest level since the 2018 election, with 56.0 per cent of the 21.4 million registered voters participating (roughly 12 million votes). This represents an increase from the 43.5 per cent turnout in the 2021 election, when 9.6 million registered voters cast their ballots (out of 22.1 million total registered voters). In particular, participation was highest in the Kurdistan Region, with 77.0 per cent in Duhok and 70.0 per cent in Erbil.
Sources: International IDEA, Atlantic Council, Shafaq News
June 2025
Nine judges of the Federal Supreme Court resign simultaneously
On 17 June, nine judges of the Federal Supreme Court resigned simultaneously (six out of the nine full members and three substitute judges), forcing the Court to suspend its activities. The resignations reflected two main issues. First, the Court was scheduled to review an appeal filed by the country’s President and Prime Minister concerning a 2023 ruling that had challenged a maritime agreement between Iraq and Kuwait, which some analysts interpreted as political pressure on the judiciary. Second, there were internal tensions between Chief Justice Al-Amiri and Judicial Council head Faiq Zaidan, which split the judiciary into opposing camps, with the dispute reflecting broader political disagreements over the Court’s rulings, including the maritime agreement and decisions that temporarily blocked the implementation of laws passed by parliament. Amid this crisis, Al-Amiri resigned on 29 June, and was succeeded by new Chief Justice Mundher Ibrahim Hussein. Following the leadership change, the judges withdrew their resignations, and the Court resumed its functions in early July. Thereafter, the President and Prime Minister also withdrew their appeal against the maritime agreement ruling.
Sources: The New Region, Associated Press, Al-Aalem, Shafaq News, Rudaw, Atlantic Council, The New Arab, 964 Media
February 2025
Personal Status Law amendments ratified
On 13 February, the President ratified amendments to the Personal Status Law (PSL). The amendments, passed by parliament on 21 January, allow Shiite Iraqis to decide whether their marriage and family matters are governed by the secular PSL or religious law. Other religious sects will remain under secular law only. As a result, the amendments create a system where family law protections may vary by sect affiliation and personal choice. The new PSL provisions require Shia religious law to set the minimum age of marriage at 18 but to also permit marriage at 15 in certain circumstances. In divorce proceedings where there is disagreement as to whether secular or religious law is to be applied, the amendments state that the husband’s preference prevails. The Shiite Endowment Office, the relevant religious authority, now has four months to draft the accompanying religious law, which must then be approved by Parliament.
Update: On 27 August, Parliament approved the code of jurisprudence that was presented by the Shiite Endowment Office. This was further upheld by the Supreme Court on 30 August.
Sources: Official Gazette of Iraq, Parliament of Iraq, Iraqi News Agency, The National, International IDEA, Shafaq News (1), Shafaq News (2)
October 2024
Election of new parliamentary speaker ends year-long deadlock
On 31 October, Iraq's Parliament elected Mahmoud al-Mashhadani as its new speaker, ending nearly a year of political deadlock. The position had been vacant since November 2023, when the Federal Supreme Court removed former speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi over forgery allegations. The Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament plays a key role in facilitating the effective functioning of the legislative process, managing debates and ensuring the timely passage of laws. The election of Al-Mashhadani follows months of negotiations, marking a rare moment of consensus in Iraq's divided parliament, where Sunni factions had struggled to agree on a replacement for the position, which is reserved for a Sunni Muslim.
Sources: Associated Press, The New Arab, Al Arabiya, International IDEA
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