Iraq

Kurdish Politician Nizar Amedi Elected Iraq's President

Is Nizar Amedi's election a milestone for Iraqi stability or a blow to Kurdish democracy and regional security?

Published APR 12

Kurdish Politician Nizar Amedi Elected Iraq's President

Story

Above: Nizar Amedi speaks during a conference on the environment in Baghdad on Sept. 18, 2024. Image credit: Ahmad Al-Rubaye/AFP/Getty Images

The Facts

Iraq's parliament elected Nizar Amedi, a Kurdish politician and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) candidate, as the country's new president on Saturday. Amedi secured 227 votes in a second round of voting, defeating independent candidate Muthanna Amin Nader, who received 15 votes.
Al Jazeera
Daily Sabah
Amedi, 58, becomes Iraq's sixth head of state since 2003, succeeding Abdul Latif Rashid. He previously served as environment minister and has led the PUK's political office in Baghdad since 2024.
Reuters
Shafaq News
The presidential election was postponed twice following disagreements between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) over who would hold the presidency. The KDP boycotted the legislative session in which Amedi was elected.
Iraqi News
Daily Sabah
Under Iraq's sectarian power-sharing system, the prime minister must be a Shia Muslim, the parliamentary speaker a Sunni Muslim and the president a Kurd. The prime minister holds significant power, while the presidency is largely ceremonial.
Reuters
Al Arabiya English
A Shia political bloc holding a parliamentary majority has nominated former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who is backed by Iran, for the prime minister role. U.S. President Donald Trump threatened in January to withdraw Washington's support for Iraq if al-Maliki was designated to form a cabinet.
Al Jazeera
Al Arabiya English
Under Iraq's constitution, Amedi has 15 days to formally task the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc with forming a cabinet. Iraq had gone nearly 150 days without a new government since its November 2025 elections.
Al Jazeera
Shafaq News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Electing Nizar Amedi without Kurdish consensus is a serious blow to democratic legitimacy in Iraq. The KDP — which won over a million votes and 27 seats — was completely sidelined, proving this presidency reflects Iranian influence, not Kurdish will. When Iran-aligned factions can install a president while facing zero consequences for launching 700 drones at Kurdish territory, that's a dangerous signal for the region.

The New Region

The Jerusalem Post

Narrative B

Nizar Amedi's election is exactly the kind of milestone Iraq needs to move forward. With congratulations pouring in from the EU, the Iraqi Group for Foreign Affairs and the PUK, this moment signals a path toward stable government formation and stronger national institutions. A united, sovereign Iraq with legitimate leadership is the foundation for tackling every serious challenge ahead.

PUKMEDIA English on X