Iraq’s parliament has elected Nizar Amedi as the country’s new president, ending a political deadlock that had paralysed government formation.
Amedi was nominated by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) with secure 227 votes in a second round of voting on Saturday. He comfortably defeated independent candidate Muthanna Amin Nader, who received 15 votes.
Speaking to parliament after the vote, Amedi acknowledged the weight of what lies ahead. “I am fully aware of the scale of challenges facing our country,” he said, pledging to work alongside all three branches of government, and committing to the principle of “Iraq First”.
