Reuters predicts Sudani's victory: He is the favorite to win a second term.
Reuters predicted on Tuesday that Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is the most likely candidate to win a second term .
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Reuters published a report, translated by Mail, stating that "Sudan presented himself as the leader who could finally make the country successful after years of instability and moved against the established parties that brought him to power as he seeks a second term ."
She added that "thanks to signs of rising public support ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 11, the increasingly confident Sudanese is running against key members of a group of parties that initially selected him for the position ."
She noted that “Al-Sudani’s election campaign focuses on improving basic services and presenting himself as the man capable of successfully balancing relations with Washington and Tehran, and he says he expects to win the largest share of seats,” adding that “many analysts agree that Al-Sudani, who has been in power since 2022 and leads the Building and Development Alliance, is the most likely candidate to win a second term .”
She continued, "No single party can form a government on its own in the 329-member Iraqi parliament, so parties must build alliances with other groups to form an administration, a difficult process that often takes several months ."
She noted that “Al-Sudani held many key positions in the Iraqi political system and is the only prime minister after 2003 who never left the country, unlike others who went into exile and then returned, often with new nationalities, after the US-led invasion that
Bank of Baghdad forms its new board of directors, becoming the first Iraqi bank to implement the Central Bank's new governance framework.
Bank of Baghdad, one of Iraq’s leading banks, announced the formation of its new Board of Directors during its ninth extraordinary general assembly meeting held today. This move is part of the ongoing reform process initiated by the bank in accordance with the directives of the Central Bank of Iraq within its banking reform program.
This new board represents a significant step, making Bank of Baghdad the first bank in Iraq to implement the new corporate governance framework approved by the Central Bank of Iraq. This underscores the bank’s commitment to the principles of transparency and corporate responsibility, and its adoption of global best practices in banking management.
During the meeting, the following members were elected to replace those who had resigned: Ms. Tamara Hussein Al-Shadidi, Mr. Khalid Sharif Al-Hazza, Mr. Nidal Faiq Al-Qabaj, and Mr. Ahmed Tahseen Al-Ma’la, the Managing Director. The following alternate members were also elected: Yazan Bader Kurdi, Salah Mohammed Salim, Baidaa Salem Suleiman, Inas Abdulrahman Al-Qaisi, Fadi Mohammed Ayad, Zuhdi Bahjat Al-Jiyousi, Dr. Taha Jaafar, Ghassan Ahmed Salim, and Niran Sabri Ishaq.
The new board of directors held its first meeting, electing Abdulkarim Alawi Al-Kabariti as chairman and Dara Nour El-Din as vice chairman.
Ahmed Tahseen Al-Ma’la, Managing Director of Bank of Baghdad, stated that the new board represents a strategic step towards strengthening corporate governance practices and solidifying the principle of separation between ownership and executive management. He expressed his pride that Bank of Baghdad is the first Iraqi bank to implement the Central Bank of Iraq’s new framework.
He added that this measure aligns with the Central Bank of Iraq’s regulations for restructuring the board to keep pace with developments, adhere to international and local standards, and ensure the provision of high-quality banking services that meet customer expectations and support sustainable growth. He affirmed that the bank will continue to maintain its financial stability and operational robustness while moving forward with its ambitious strategy for sustainable growth and the provision of innovative banking solutions.
A year ended without a budget... Iraq is on the verge of economic paralysis and a freeze on services.
Economic expert Ahmed Al-Tamimi warned on Tuesday (November 4, 2025) of serious repercussions that may result from the end of the 2025 fiscal year without the approval of the general budget, noting that continuing to work on the 1/12 monthly spending rule will lead to paralysis in investment and service projects within the country.
Al-Tamimi told Baghdad Today, “The failure to approve the budget will hinder the implementation of government programs, freeze vital projects in various sectors, and force ministries to operate in a transitional manner with limited powers, without the ability to launch new projects or complete those that have been halted.”
He added that “the provinces will be the biggest losers as a result of freezing the release of financial allocations, which will affect public services and job opportunities, and weaken the contribution of the private sector to local development,” noting that “the economic environment will face a decline in the confidence of local and foreign investors due to the absence of a clear financial vision.”
He explained that “the continuation of the current situation will create serious challenges to the state’s financial obligations, especially with regard to salaries, social safety nets and government support, which may lead to an exacerbation of the financial deficit and increased pressure on cash reserves,” calling for “urgent action to approve the budget and establish financial stability before the circle of economic crises widens.”
The Iraqi government is facing delays in approving the 2025 budget due to political and technical disputes over the distribution of revenues and allocations to the provinces. This has prompted the Ministry of Finance to continue with the 1/12 spending rule, meaning that monthly spending is based on the previous year's budget, which limits the state's ability to finance new projects and stimulate the economy.
Cabinet meeting: Allocations for holding an international conference and recommendations regarding Apple Pay
The Council approved “the special recommendations regarding the activation of global (APPLE PAY) services in Iraq, by adopting the documents required by the parent company, instead of the commercial registration certificate to obtain the trusted license from the Media and Communications Commission, and exempting the company from the provisions of the amended Foreign Companies Branches System (2 of 2017).”
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The Governor of the Central Bank meets with the new Ambassador of the European Union Mission to Iraq
His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq, received at the bank’s headquarters in Baghdad His Excellency the Ambassador of the new European Union Mission to Iraq, Clemens Smutner, to discuss ways to enhance economic and banking cooperation between the two sides.
During the meeting, His Excellency the Governor reviewed the most prominent economic transformations and banking reforms led by the Central Bank, stressing that these reforms seek to develop the banking structure in accordance with international standards, enhance the attraction of foreign capital, and provide a stable and sustainable investment environment in Iraq.
Both sides also stressed that the financial and economic stability that Iraq is witnessing has had a positive impact on the business environment, paving the way for expanding cooperation between the European Union and Iraq, and moving from the post-conflict stability phase to sustainable development.
For his part, Ambassador Smetner expressed the European Union’s interest in supporting the development of the private sector and the diversification of the Iraqi economy, especially in light of the global challenges related to climate change and migration, noting that the Iraqi banking system is a key axis for achieving those goals.
His Excellency praised the recent banking reforms adopted by the Central Bank of Iraq, and their convergence with international standards in terms of transparency and efficiency in financial transfer systems, expressing his aspiration to continue dialogue and joint cooperation to promote economic development in Iraq.
Central Bank of Iraq -
Media Office
China: We thank Iraq for facilitating the work of our companies and citizens.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed his gratitude on Tuesday for the efforts made by the Iraqi government to facilitate the work of Chinese institutions, companies and citizens in Iraq.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a statement received by "Al-Eqtisad News" that "Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, received today, in his office at the Ministry building, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Iraq, Cui Wei."
The Chinese ambassador handed the minister a written reply from his counterpart, the Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, in which he expressed his thanks and appreciation for the invitation extended to him to visit Iraq, and indicated his readiness to accept it at a near time.
In his message, the Chinese Foreign Minister emphasized the "deep historical friendship between Iraq and the People's Republic of China," praising the "continuous progress in bilateral cooperation thanks to the mutual efforts of both sides."
He also praised Iraq's supportive stances, stressing his country's keenness to continue coordinating with Baghdad on regional and international issues, and to enhance cooperation in the economic, trade, cultural and energy sectors.
In his message, the Chinese minister praised the efforts made by the Iraqi government to facilitate the work of Chinese institutions, companies and citizens in Iraq, expressing his country's aspiration to expand the horizons of cooperation in a way that serves the interests of the two friendly countries.
The US opens a joint air defense command center with Qatar at Al Udeid Air Base.
The US military announced the opening of a joint air defense command center with Qatar at Al Udeid Air Base.
The US Central Command said in a statement on the X platform: "The US Central Command (CENTCOM) opened the first joint bilateral air defense command center in the Middle East in cooperation with the State of Qatar, at Al Udeid Air Base, on November 3."
The commander of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, said that "the military relationship between the United States and Qatar is stronger than ever," noting that "the new Joint Air Defense Command Center will contribute to strengthening regional security cooperation today and in the months and years to come."
For its part, the Qatari Ministry of Defense said in a post on its X platform account that the Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces, Jassim Al-Mannai, and the Commander of the US Central Command, Brad Cooper, inaugurated the Joint Air Defense Command Center.
Iran shifts strategy in Iraq: From hard power to political integration
Iran is recalibrating its playbook in Iraq, moving from overt military influence to deeper political and economic integration, as mounting Western and regional pressure reshapes Tehran’s approach to its key neighbor.
According to a report by Amwaj, Iran is now pursuing a dual-track strategy: embedding allied factions and figures more firmly into Iraq’s political system, while quietly strengthening select armed groups as insurance against future instability.
The analysis suggests Tehran’s current posture reflects a broader regional reassessment following its 12-day confrontation with Israel in June and subsequent US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Faced with growing isolation, Iran appears to be hedging its bets — investing in influence that costs less and attracts less backlash.
Iran’s allied Iraqi factions refrained from joining Tehran’s war with Israel, reportedly at Iran’s request and under pressure from Iraq’s ruling Coordination Framework and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who sought to prevent Iraq from being drawn into regional conflict.
The restraint, the report argues, also underscores internal fractures within Iraq’s Shiite political camp. Al-Sudani’s efforts to secure a second term have strained relations with Iran-aligned leaders who once helped elevate him. As a result, the once-solid Coordination Framework coalition is now seen as fractured beyond repair.
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