On Saturday 15 September, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) hailed the election the same day of Sunni parliamentarian Mohamed al-Halbusi as new Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and the election of his two deputy speakers after weeks of blockage. The Iraqi elections were held on 12 May.
In a press release, the EEAS spokesperson said this was "the first, crucial step towards the formation of a new government in Iraq following the elections". "We expect political leaders to carry this process forward swiftly and to seek national participation and broad national reconciliation", the spokesperson said, adding that the new executive will have to "urgently" address the multiple challenges that Iraq faces, and respond to the legitimate needs and aspirations of the Iraqi population.
The spokesperson stated that the EU would work with the new government "in support of the stability, security, inclusive democracy and prosperity that all Iraqis deserve". Furthermore, the spokesperson said "it is crucially important that Iraq's international partners and the countries of the region also continue to play a constructive role, to sustain and increase their support to Iraq, and to fully respect Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity". (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)