Iraq’s new PM inherits system built for balance, not reform

Iraq remains one of the most politically complex countries in the region, and the parliamentary elections held last year on Nov. 11, alongside escalating tensions following the recent U.S.-Iran confrontation, have pushed the country into a deeper structural crisis. The depth of the crisis is reflected in the numbers, where voter turnout in the latest elections was officially reported at around 56.1%, or roughly 12 million voters, in a country of nearly 46 million to 47 million people, a gap that highlights a widening disconnect between the political system and the people.