BAGHDAD, Iraq: Iraq’s parliament on Saturday elected Kurdish former government minister, Nizar Amedi, as the country’s new president, ending months of deadlock driven by divisions among rival blocs, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Amedi, a former environment minister, was backed as a presidential candidate by the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
He secured 227 votes out of 249, defeating Muthana Ameen of the Kurdistan Islamic Union, who received only 15 votes, according to parliament’s media office.
Voting went into a second round after no candidate achieved the required two-thirds majority in the first round held earlier on Saturday.
By custom, a Kurdish politician serves as Iraq’s president, a largely ceremonial post.
The post of parliamentary speaker is traditionally occupied by a Sunni Muslim, while the prime minister is a Shiite Muslim.
Following his election, the president is expected to nominate a prime minister, the most important position in the country.
Iraq held its legislative election in November last year. Major Kurdish blocs have since failed to agree on a joint candidate for the presidential post.
Saturday’s parliamentary meeting was boycotted by the Kurdistan Democratic Party. – BERNAMA-dpa
