Baghdad: Iraqi newspapers published on Sunday highlighted the Supreme Judicial Council’s firm stance on non-interference in nominating any individual for the positions of President of the Republic or Prime Minister, coinciding with Iraqis commemorating the sixth anniversary of the martyrdom of the leaders of victory.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Zawraa newspaper, issued by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, quoted the Head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Judge Faiq Zaidan, as stressing the importance of adhering to constitutional deadlines for submitting presidential candidates, affirming that the judiciary will not intervene in nominating any individual for the post.

The Council’s media office stated that Zaidan met Kurdistan Democratic Party leader Masoud Barzani in Erbil, where both sides emphasized respect for constitutional timelines in forming state authorities. Barzani, in turn, praised the judiciary’s role in upholding constitutional processes.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Judicial Council
issued a clarification at the start of the constitutional timeline for selecting a prime ministerial candidate, reiterating that it does not support or nominate any individual. The Council warned against attempts by certain political actors to exploit the judiciary’s name and spread misinformation to undermine its independence, noting that legal action will be taken against violators.

Al-Sabah newspaper reported that the process of selecting the President of the Republic has entered a decisive phase as the deadline for submitting candidacy applications approaches, noting that the Council of Representatives has set Monday as the final day for registration, in line with completing constitutional entitlements within their prescribed timelines.

The paper pointed out that political negotiations between the two main Kurdish parties-the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)-are still ongoing without a final agreement on a single candidate. It added that the multiplicity of pro
posed names reflects political flexibility that may lead to presenting more than one candidate and leaving the decision to a parliamentary vote.

In this context, Head of the Supreme Judicial Council Judge Faiq Zaidan reiterated, during his meeting with Masoud Barzani in Erbil, the importance of adhering to constitutional deadlines for submitting candidates’ names. KDP member Ali Al-Feili confirmed the continuation of talks with the PUK, citing signs of greater flexibility, while PUK leader Mahmoud Khoshnaw announced that his party would reveal its candidates in the coming hours, stressing that electing the president requires broad national support and a two-thirds quorum.

Meanwhile, The National Wisdom Movement member Fahd Al-Jubouri warned against further delays in completing government formation, describing the election of the president as the constitutional gateway to announcing the next prime minister.

On another front, Al-Sabah highlighted the commemoration of the sixth anniversary of the martyrdom of
the leaders of victory, Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis and Qassem Soleimani. Parliamentary members and political analysts emphasized that their sacrifices represent a national trust that must be translated into policies and legislation reinforcing stability and sovereignty.

Head of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Faleh Al-Fayyadh, affirmed during the ceremony that the PMF bears a national responsibility to defend Iraq’s security, stressing that martyrdom is a unifying national value and that honoring the fallen comes through safeguarding the state and its institutions.

For his part, MP Karim Al-Mohammadawi stated that the sacrifices of the leaders of victory place historical and legislative responsibilities on parliament to protect national sovereignty and support the security apparatus, calling for unified national positions and effective legislation to uphold the authority of the state and prevent the return of instability.

Al-Zaman newspaper focused on the events in Yemen, reporting that the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs reiterated Iraq’s firm stance in support of Yemen’s security and stability, amidst a complex regional landscape where international interests intersect.

The Ministry stated in a press release that “Iraq is following with great interest the political and security developments in Yemen, emphasizing its commitment to the unity of this country and the safety of its people.”

The statement stressed that “the stability of Yemen is a fundamental pillar for the security of the entire region,” and expressed hope that “regional and international efforts will contribute to strengthening the prospects for de-escalation and moving towards sustainable solutions, while commending all initiatives aimed at consolidating peace and preserving the interests of the brotherly Yemeni people, and calling for the continuation of constructive dialogue between the Yemeni parties as the most effective path to alleviating the suffering of the Yemenis.”