Baghdad: The Iraqi Council of Representatives on Tuesday announced the postponement of the special session to elect the President of the Republic. The decision comes as the Speaker of the Council, Haibat Al Halbousi, received requests from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to defer the parliamentary session on the presidential elections.

According to Qatar News Agency, the council reported that the delay was intended to allow additional time for deliberations and to reach an agreement between the two parties regarding the potential presidential candidate. This move suggests ongoing negotiations and discussions between the KDP and PUK as they work towards a consensus on a suitable candidate for the presidency.

In mid-January 2026, the Presidency of the Council announced the names of the candidates who were legally eligible to run for the office of President of the Republic of Iraq, with a total of 19 candidates in the fray. The deferment of the election session highlights the complexities and challenges faced in reaching a political agreement within Iraq's diverse political landscape.