Iraqi lawmakers on Thursday elected former minister Abdul Latif Rashid as the country’s next president, taking a key step toward ending a crippling political vacuum.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Shia Al Sudani has been tasked by Iraq’s new president with forming the next government. Mr. Al Sudani has served as an MP in Parliament for three terms since 2014.

The Coordination Framework had named Mohammad Shia al-Sudani as their premier-designate, after submitting a formal letter being the largest bloc on Thursday.

Mr. Al Sudani started his political career as a member of the Dawa Party and then ran for election with the State of Law Coalition led by former prime minister Nouri Al Maliki.

Among other posts, he served as human rights minister from 2010 to 2014 and minister of labour and social affairs from 2014 to 2018. He worked in an acting role for several ministries during Mr. Al Maliki’s two terms in office from 2006 to 2014.

Source: Websites