Council of Representatives of Iraq facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Council of Representativesمجلس النواب (Arabic) ئهنجومهنی نوێنهران (Kurdish) |
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Seal of the Council of Representatives of Iraq
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| Type | |
| Type |
Bicameral (de jure)
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| History | |
| Founded | 28 December 2005 |
| Preceded by | Senate of Iraq Chamber of Deputies of Iraq National Assembly of Ba'athist Iraq |
| Leadership | |
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Speaker
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Mahmoud al-Mashhadani (non-partisan)
Since 31 October 2024 |
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First Deputy Speaker
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Muhsin Al-Mandalawi, non-partisan
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Second Deputy Speaker
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Shakhawan Abdulla, KDP
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| Structure | |
| Seats | 329 |
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Political groups
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Government (186)
Opposition (143)
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Length of term
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4 years |
| Elections | |
| Single non-transferable vote (after 2019) | |
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Last election
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10 October 2021 |
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Next election
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11 November 2025 |
| Redistricting | Independent High Electoral Commission |
| Meeting place | |
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| Baghdad Convention Center Green Zone Baghdad Iraq |
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| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Iraq (2005), Section II, Chapter I | |
The Council of Representatives is like the main law-making body in Iraq. It is often called the Parliament. This group of people helps run the country. They make important decisions for everyone in Iraq.
The Council of Representatives has 329 members. These members meet in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq. They work inside a special area called the Green Zone.
Contents
Understanding the Council of Representatives
What is the Council of Representatives?
The Council of Representatives is the main group that makes laws for Iraq. It is similar to a parliament or congress in other countries. Its job is to represent the people of Iraq.
How many members are there?
Currently, there are 329 members in the Council of Representatives. These members are chosen by the people of Iraq. They serve for a period of four years.
Where do they meet?
The Council members meet in a special building in Baghdad. This building is located within the Green Zone. This area is important for government activities.
A Look Back: History of Iraq's Parliament
Early Days: The Monarchy (1925-1958)
Iraq first had an elected parliament in 1925. This was when Iraq was a kingdom. The parliament had two parts: a lower house and an upper house. The lower house was called the Chamber of Deputies. Its members were elected by men. The king chose the members of the upper house. Many elections happened during this time.
However, in 1958, there was a big change in government. A military group took control. This ended the monarchy and the parliament.
Under Saddam Hussein (1980-2003)
After the monarchy, Iraq became a republic. A new National Assembly was created. But elections for this assembly did not happen until 1980. This was under the new leader, Saddam Hussein.
During this time, the elections were not considered fair. Only members of Saddam Hussein's political party were usually elected. This meant people did not have a real choice.
A New Start: The Transitional Period (2003-2005)
In 2003, Saddam Hussein's government ended. After this, a temporary government was set up. This group created a temporary constitution. This constitution said that a new National Assembly would be elected. This new assembly would then write a permanent constitution for Iraq.
The first elections for this new assembly happened on January 30, 2005. Many people voted. The United Iraqi Alliance party won the most seats. A good number of women were also elected to this assembly.
After the election, different parties worked together. They formed a new government. The assembly chose a speaker and other leaders. They also elected a president for the country.
The Constitution of 2005 and Today's Parliament
What the 2005 Constitution Says
A new, permanent constitution was approved in October 2005. This constitution set up how Iraq's government works today. It said that laws would be made by two groups. These groups are the Council of Representatives and the Federation Council.
The Council of Representatives' Role
The Council of Representatives has 325 members. They are elected for four years. Their main jobs are to:
- Create and pass new laws for the country.
- Watch over the government's work.
- Approve agreements with other countries.
- Approve important government officials.
The Council also chooses the president of Iraq. The president then picks a prime minister. The prime minister usually comes from the party with the most support in the Council.
Elections for the current Council of Representatives happened on December 15, 2005. The Council first met on March 16, 2006.
The Federation Council
The constitution also planned for a "Federation Council." This council would have representatives from different parts of Iraq. However, as of today, this second council has not yet been fully created. The Council of Representatives will decide how it will work in the future.
Important Moments for the Council
An Event in 2007
In April 2007, an unfortunate event took place at the parliament building. A politician, Mohammed Awad, died, and some others were hurt. This event led to discussions about security and how the parliament worked.
Political Discussions in 2007
Later in 2007, some lawmakers stopped attending parliament meetings. They were protesting certain decisions. They returned after some agreements were made. The parliament was also working to pass important laws. These laws were about things like oil money and how different regions would be governed.
Changes to Voting Rules in 2009
In 2009, Iraq changed how people vote for parliament members. The new rules made it easier for people to vote for individual candidates. Before, people mostly voted for a party list. This change also increased the number of members in the Council. It went from 275 to 325 members. This was to make sure there was one member for every 100,000 citizens.
Protests at the Parliament in 2016
In April 2016, some protesters entered the parliament building. They were expressing their concerns. This event highlighted the importance of public opinion.
More Voting System Updates (2018 & 2019)
In 2018, the Council added one more seat. This was for minority groups in the Wasit Governorate. This brought the total number of members to 329.
In 2019, more changes were made to the voting system. These changes aimed to help independent politicians. It made it easier for them to win seats. Each region was divided into smaller voting areas. This meant people voted for one person in their local area.
The 2021 Elections and Political Challenges
After the parliamentary election in October 2021, Iraq faced a political challenge. Members of the Council of Representatives were unable to form a stable government. They also could not elect a new president for many months. This situation was a political deadlock. In August 2022, a leader named Muqtada al-Sadr asked for new elections to solve the problem.
Images for kids
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Iraqi parliament members in 1928.
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See also
In Spanish: Consejo de Representantes de Irak para niños
- Politics of Iraq
- Elections in Iraq
- List of legislatures by country
