Government of Iraq

Government of Iraq
Tonyjeff, Omar86, Kafka1 and AnonMoos; AnonMoos, Militaryace · Public domain · source
Government name	Government of Iraq
Caption	Coat of arms of Iraq
Date	1920; current constitution 2005
State	Republic of Iraq
Address	Green Zone, Baghdad
Leader title	Prime Minister
Appointed	President of Iraq
Main organ	Council of Ministers
Ministries	30
Court	Federal Supreme Court

Government of Iraq. The federal government of the Republic of Iraq is defined by the 2005 constitution as a democratic, federal parliamentary republic. Its structure, established following the Iraq War and the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, distributes power among executive, legislative, and judicial branches with sovereignty constitutionally shared with regional governments. The government operates from the capital Baghdad, primarily within the secured Green Zone, and its formation is deeply influenced by the country's sectarian and ethnic composition.

History

The modern Iraqi state was formed from three Ottoman vilayets after World War I under a British League of Nations mandate. The first constitution was the Organic Law of 1925, establishing the Kingdom of Iraq under King Faisal I. This monarchy was overthrown in the 14 July Revolution of 1958, leading to the First Republic. Subsequent power was seized by the Ba'ath Party in 1968, culminating in the authoritarian rule of Saddam Hussein after 1979. His government was toppled by the 2003 invasion of Iraq led by the United States and the Coalition. The Coalition Provisional Authority administered the country until sovereignty was transferred to the Iraqi Interim Government in 2004, paving the way for the drafting and ratification of the current constitution in a 2005 referendum.

Structure

The government is structured as a federal system, with power divided between the federal authorities in Baghdad and the constituent regions, notably the Kurdistan Region which has its own parliament and prime minister. The foundational document is the Constitution of Iraq, which also recognizes Islam as the official state religion and a source of legislation. Key institutions include the Federal Supreme Court, the Independent High Electoral Commission, and oversight bodies like the Federal Board of Supreme Audit. The system is designed to manage the complex balance between the Shia majority, Sunni, and Kurdish populations.

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the President of Iraq, a largely ceremonial head of state elected by the Council of Representatives, and the Prime Minister of Iraq, who holds the most executive power as the head of government. The Prime Minister is nominated by the largest parliamentary bloc and forms the Council of Ministers, which includes key portfolios like Defence, Interior, Oil, and Foreign Affairs. The executive also commands the Iraqi Armed Forces, comprising the Iraqi Army, Iraqi Air Force, and Iraqi Navy, and oversees powerful security agencies like the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Counter Terrorism Service.

Legislative branch

The federal legislative authority is vested in the Council of Representatives of Iraq, a unicameral parliament seated in the Baghdad Green Zone. Its 329 members are elected for four-year terms through a system of proportional representation from the country's governorates. The Council is responsible for enacting federal legislation, approving the federal budget, ratifying treaties like those with the International Monetary Fund, and overseeing the executive branch. A second chamber, the Federation Council, is envisaged by the constitution to represent regions but has not yet been established.

Judicial branch

The judiciary is independent and headed by the Federal Supreme Court, based in Baghdad. It is the highest court for constitutional review, settling disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and interpreting the Constitution of Iraq. Lower federal courts include the Court of Cassation, the Central Criminal Court of Iraq, and specialized courts for administrative, labor, and electoral matters. The Judicial Oversight Commission manages judicial appointments and discipline. The system also incorporates elements of Sharia law for personal status matters.

Subnational governments

Iraq is divided into 19 governorates, each with a governor and a provincial council. The Kurdistan Region, comprising the governorates of Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, Duhok, and Halabja, enjoys significant autonomy under its own parliament, president, and cabinet, with authority over internal security via the Peshmerga forces. Other governorates, particularly Basra, Nineveh, and Al Anbar, have varying degrees of administrative decentralization. Disputed territories, such as Kirkuk, remain a central point of contention between Baghdad and Erbil.

Politics and elections

Iraqi politics are characterized by a consociational system where power-sharing is negotiated among large Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish political blocs. Major Shia coalitions have included the State of Law Coalition led by Nouri al-Maliki and the Al-Fatah Alliance. Key Kurdish parties are the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, while Sunni politics often revolve around the Iraqi Accord Front and the Al-Wataniya bloc. Elections are overseen by the Independent High Electoral Commission, with significant votes including the 2021 election and the 2005 constitutional referendum. The Islamic State insurgency and widespread protests like the 2019–2021 Iraqi protests have profoundly impacted the political landscape. Category:Government of Iraq