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flag Forty-four candidates, including independents, vied for Iraq’s presidency by Jan. 5, 2026, amid efforts to uphold its power-sharing system.

flag Forty-four candidates, including retired engineer Ahmed Tawfiq and former environment minister Nizar Amedi, have applied to run for Iraq’s presidency, with the nomination period closing on January 5, 2026. flag Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi confirmed the applications as Iraq faces a constitutional deadline to elect a president within 30 days. flag Political factions, including the PUK and KDP, are negotiating to break a prolonged impasse, aiming to uphold the country’s ethno-sectarian power-sharing system—where the presidency is traditionally held by a Kurd, the prime ministership by a Shiite, and the speakership by a Sunni. flag Despite low chances of success, independent candidates are challenging the system, citing corruption and inefficiency. flag The process follows November 2025 parliamentary elections with a 56.11% turnout, and the U.S.-led coalition is set to withdraw from Iraq’s Ain al-Asad base.

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