Iraq’s main Sunni Arab political blocs have called for an accelerated government formation process, urging the presidency to convene the first session of the new parliament before December 25. The call follows a meeting of the recently formed Sunni National Political Council to unify their stance on the upcoming administration.

In a statement carried by state media, the council pressed the presidency to “expedite setting the date for convening the first session of the Council of Representatives and electing the Speaker and his two deputies,” explicitly proposing the session be held prior to December 25.

The meeting, held at the headquarters of the Azm Front led by businessman Muthanna al-Samarrai, focused on shaping the Sunni political vision for the next government. A key topic was the selection of candidates for the influential role of parliament speaker, a position traditionally reserved for Sunni Arabs under Iraq’s informal power-sharing agreement established after the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. This system also allocates the premiership to Shiites and the presidency to Kurds.

Salah al-Marawi of the Azm Alliance indicated to the state-run Al-Sabah newspaper that the meeting aimed to decide on “the selection of one or two candidates” for the speakership. However, other members, like Salah al-Kubaisi of the Sovereignty Alliance, noted the council is “still in the process” of finalizing a unified candidate.

The council’s statement emphasized discussions on “constitutional entitlements” and their vision for a government program, stressing “the importance of communicating with political partners to expedite the formation of a new government capable of meeting the aspirations of the Iraqi street.”

The push for speed follows the ratification of the October 11 parliamentary election results by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court on Sunday, a move the united Sunni body commended alongside praising the work of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

The National Political Council was formed in November to consolidate Sunni negotiating power. It includes several major blocs:

The Takaddum Front, led by former Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi, which won 27 seats.
The Sovereignty Alliance, headed by Khamis al-Khanjar, with 9 seats.
The Azm Front, with 15 seats.
The National Hasm Alliance, led by caretaker Defense Minister Thabet al-Abbasi, securing 5 seats.
The National Masses Party, headed by former Salahaddin governor Ahmed al-Jabouri, which won 3 seats.