<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The Spanish government congratulated the government and people of Iraq on Thursday on the “smooth conduct of the parliamentary elections,” held this past Tuesday, which saw a 55 percent voter turnout and resulted in a victory for Prime Minister Mohamed Shia al-Sudani.</strong></h4> “The Spanish government congratulates the government and people of Iraq on the organization, participation, and smooth conduct of the parliamentary elections on November 11, and looks forward to the prompt formation of a government,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release. “Spain reiterates its commitment to the stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Iraq, as well as its willingness to continue working together for peace and stability in the region,” it added. With a 55 percent turnout, significantly higher than the 41 percent recorded in the 2021 elections, the victory went to the Reconstruction and Development list, led by Al Sudani, who expressed his “deep gratitude” to the Iraqi people for their support via the X network. “Our coalition, Reconstruction and Development, comes first because we believe Iraq comes first,” he added. These elections represent “progress in protecting the constitutional and democratic system,” he added. Mohamed Shia al Sudani, Iraq’s prime minister since October 2022, served as Minister of Human Rights in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s Council of Ministers from 2010 to October 2014. He also served as governor of Messena province between 2009 and 2010. These are the sixth elections since the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime in April 2003 following the US-led invasion. The increased voter turnout is especially significant after the powerful Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose party received the most votes in the 2021 elections, called for a boycott of the elections and accused the other political leaders of corruption. Exactly one year ago, Mohamed Shia al-Sudani paid an official visit to Spain, where he discussed with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez the need to halt the escalating violence in the Middle East and cooperation in the economic, commercial, and industrial sectors, as well as in security, justice, tourism, and culture. Separately, al-Sudani praised Spain's "clear support" for the Palestinian cause through its recognition of the State of Palestine, and Sánchez conveyed to the Iraqi Prime Minister Spain's commitment to and support for the Iraqi government's efforts to maintain its stability, security, and sovereignty, and expressed Spain's support for the NATO mission in the country. During the meeting, the second bilateral meeting between the two after Sánchez's official visit to Baghdad in December 2023, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed on financial cooperation and Justice to boost cooperation at the ministerial level and industrial and business cooperation.
