Iraq Parliament Elects Kurdish Politician Nizar Amedi As President After Deadlock

Iraq's parliament elected Nizar Amedi of the PUK as the new president on April 11, 2026.

“Iraq’s parliament has elected Nizar Amedi as the country’s new president, ending a political deadlock that had paralysed government formation”

Al Jazeera

Amedi secured 227 votes in a second round, defeating Muthanna Amin who received 15 votes.

Al Jazeera

The vote took place more than two months past the constitutional deadline.

The KDP boycotted the session, rejecting a president imposed through the votes of others.

Amedi is a mechanical engineer from Dohuk province and a career public servant.

He pledged to work alongside all three branches of government and committed to Iraq First.

Amedi's election triggers the next step in Iraq's sectarian power-sharing system.

The prime minister must be a Shia Muslim, the speaker a Sunni, and the president a Kurd.

Gulf News

Amedi has 15 days to task the largest bloc's nominee with forming a cabinet.

The Shiite Coordination Framework announced it would nominate Nouri al-Maliki.

Trump threatened to withdraw US support if al-Maliki was designated.

The ruling Shia Coordination Framework has yet to formally withdraw Maliki’s candidacy.

The election exposed deep divisions within the Kurdish political landscape.

“- i24NEWS - Middle East - Iraqi parliament elects Kurdish politician Nizar Amedi as country's new president Iraqi parliament elects Kurdish politician Nizar Amedi as country's new president Under Iraq's sectarian power-sharing system, the prime minister must be a Shi'ite Muslim, the parliamentary speaker a Sunni Muslim, and the president a Kurd Iraqi parliament on Saturday elected Kurdish politician Nizar Amedi of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) as the country's new president”

i24NEWS

The PUK secured the presidency while the KDP holds the Kurdistan Region’s presidency.

The KDP's boycott underscored tensions between the two main Kurdish parties.

The KDP faction warned of a blatant disregard for national partnership.

The KDP won 39 of the 100 seats, while the PUK took 23.

Further negotiations between the Kurdish parties are expected.

Amedi was born in 1968 in the Amedi district of Duhok province.

He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Mosul.

Kurdistan24

He has held several senior roles over the past decades.

In his inaugural address, Amedi condemned attacks on Iraqi territory.

He reiterated his commitment to Iraq First.

The election comes as Iraq is still absorbing the shockwaves of the US-Israel war on Iran.