Iraq’s Top Court Declares Parliament Term Over and Government Restricted to Daily Affairs
Peregraf- The Iraqi Supreme Federal Court issued a decisive interpretive ruling today confirming the end of the Iraqi Council of Representatives’ constitutional term and limiting the powers of the Council of Ministers to managing “daily affairs” only.
Iraq held its parliamentary elections on November 11, 2025, which the Court said represents the constitutional moment when the term of the outgoing Parliament and its resulting government effectively ends.
The ruling came during a session headed by Chief Justice Munther Ibrahim Hussein, in response to a request from the President of the Republic to interpret Article 56 of the 2005 Constitution.
According to the Court’s decision, the general election day marks a clear dividing line between expired and renewed legitimacy. From that day forward, both Parliament and the government lose their full political authority.
The Court emphasized that:
•Parliament’s four-year term is fixed and ends with the close of the fourth year.
•Election day signals the end of the outgoing Parliament’s legislative powers and the government’s full executive authority.
•After elections, the government may only take non-postponable, essential decisions required to keep state institutions functioning.
•It cannot sign treaties, propose laws, take major financial commitments, appoint or dismiss senior officials, or restructure ministries and departments.
•The President of the Republic remains in office until the new Parliament convenes, per Article 72.
The Court stressed that no authority may exceed the constitutional timelines approved by the Iraqi people, and that any measures taken beyond those limits have no constitutional basis and are legally void.
The ruling reinforces the principle of the peaceful transfer of power and affirms that political legitimacy derives solely from elections and the will of the voters.