Iraq elects Nizar Amidi as president in second-round vote

Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - BAGHDAD — Iraq’s parliament elected Nizar Amidi as the country’s new president on Saturday, after he secured a decisive victory in a second round of voting.

Amidi, the candidate of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, won 227 votes, defeating rival Muthanna Amin, who received 15 votes, while seven ballots were declared invalid.

He succeeds former President Abdul Latif Rashid, becoming Iraq’s sixth president since 2003.

The election moved to a runoff after no candidate secured the required two-thirds majority in the first round. Under Iraq’s constitution, the initial vote requires 220 out of 329 parliamentary votes, while the second round is decided by a simple majority.

According to reports, 252 lawmakers participated in the first round of voting.

Amidi’s election followed delays earlier this year, as disagreements between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK over the presidency postponed the session twice.

Under Iraq’s political power-sharing system, the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurdish candidate, with the KDP and PUK competing for the post.

Following the announcement of results, Amidi was invited to take the constitutional oath in parliament.

According to Article 76 of the Iraqi constitution, the newly elected president is required to task the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a government within 15 days.