Prime Minister of Iraq facts for kids
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq is like the main leader of the government in Iraq. They are in charge of running the country day-to-day and are also the top commander of the Iraqi Army. As of 23rd of July 2025, Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani is the current Prime Minister. He took office on October 27, 2022.
Quick facts for kids Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq |
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Coat of arms of Iraq
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| Council of Ministers Executive branch of the Federal Government of the Republic of Iraq |
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| Style | His Excellency |
| Residence | Republican Palace, Baghdad |
| Seat | Al Zaqura Building |
| Appointer | President |
| Term length | Four-year term, renewable |
| Formation | 11 November 1920 |
| First holder | Abd Al-Rahman Al-Gillani |
| Salary | 140,000,000 Iraqi dinars/96,552 USD annually |
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Contents
A Look Back: The Prime Minister's Role
The job of Prime Minister in Iraq has changed over time. When the position was first created in 1920, it was an appointed role. The Prime Minister worked under the head of state and was the leader of the Iraqi parliament.
How the Role Changed
With the 2005 constitution, the Prime Minister became the main leader of the government. This means they have the most power in running the country.
Recent Prime Ministers
- Nouri al-Maliki became Prime Minister on April 21, 2006.
- He stepped down on August 14, 2014, and Haider al-Abadi took his place.
- On October 25, 2018, Adil Abdul-Mahdi was sworn in after the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election. He later resigned in 2019 but was asked to stay on as a temporary Prime Minister.
- Mustafa Al-Kadhimi took over on May 7, 2020.
- After the 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election, Al-Kadhimi was replaced by Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, who is the current Prime Minister.
How a Prime Minister is Chosen
After an election, the Council of Representatives first chooses the President of the Republic and their helpers.
The Nomination Process
The Presidency Council then has two weeks to all agree on a Prime Minister. If they can't agree, the job of choosing goes back to the National Assembly. The Council of Representatives must then approve the chosen person with a majority vote.
Forming a Government
Once a Prime Minister is chosen, they have one month to pick their team of ministers. If they can't do this in time, the Presidency Council must choose a different Prime Minister.
International Influence
Even though it's not official, the choice of Prime Minister in Iraq has often needed quiet approval from both the United States and Iran. This is because these countries have a lot of influence in Iraqi politics.
Groups Working with the Prime Minister
Several important groups report directly to the Prime Minister. These include:
- The Counter Terrorism Bureau
- The National Intelligence Service
- The National Security Service
- The Falcons Intelligence Cell
- The Popular Mobilization Commission
The Counter Terrorism Bureau also oversees the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Command, which includes all of Iraq's special forces.
Where the Prime Minister Works
The Prime Minister's main office is in the Al Zaqura Building. This building is located in the area known as the Green Zone in Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq.
See also
In Spanish: Primer ministro de Irak para niños
- List of kings of Iraq
- List of presidents of Iraq
