So, you're wondering who is the Iraq president? Honestly, unless you're a hardcore follower of Middle Eastern geopolitics, the answer might not roll off the tongue. It's not like the US or France where the president is the face of every single policy. In Iraq, things are... different.
Right now, the man holding the title is Abdul Latif Rashid. He’s been in the seat since October 2022, and he’s currently steering the ship through a pretty pivotal 2026.
But here is the kicker: in Iraq, being the president doesn't mean you're the one calling all the shots. If you're looking for the person with the most executive "oomph," that’s usually the Prime Minister. The presidency is a bit more about balance, symbol, and keeping the peace between a lot of moving parts.
The man in the palace: Who is Abdul Latif Rashid?
Let's get into the weeds of who this guy actually is. Abdul Latif Rashid (sometimes you’ll see it written as Latif Rashid) is a Kurdish politician who’s been around the block more than a few times. He was born in Sulaymaniyah back in 1944. That makes him a veteran of the struggle against the old regime.
He didn't just fall into politics, either. He’s actually a highly educated engineer. He spent years in the UK, grabbing a PhD from the University of Manchester. Before he was president, he spent a long time—about seven years—as the Minister of Water Resources.
Think about that for a second. In a country like Iraq, where water rights and the Tigris and Euphrates rivers are literally life and death, that’s a heavy-duty job. He knows the technical side of the country, not just the smoky backroom deals.
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How he got there
Rashid’s path to the presidency wasn't a straight line. It took a while. After the 2021 elections, Iraq was stuck in a massive political deadlock. For a year, nobody could agree on anything. Finally, in late 2022, the Parliament voted. Rashid went up against the incumbent, Barham Salih.
He won. 162 votes to 99.
It was a big moment because it finally allowed the government to start moving again. Since then, he’s been the guy residing in the Salam Palace in Baghdad.
Wait, what does the Iraq president actually do?
If you're asking who is the Iraq president because you want to know who controls the army or the budget, you might be looking at the wrong office. Iraq uses a system called muhasasa. Basically, it’s a power-sharing deal.
- The President is always a Kurd.
- The Prime Minister is always a Shia Muslim.
- The Speaker of Parliament is always a Sunni Muslim.
It’s designed to keep everyone from at each other's throats. Because of this, the president is the "Guardian of the Constitution." He’s the one who has to sign off on laws and represent the country at the UN. He can grant pardons, and he’s technically the Commander-in-Chief for "ceremonial purposes."
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But the real daily "running the country" stuff? That sits with the Prime Minister, currently Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani.
Why 2026 is a massive year for Rashid
We are currently in a bit of a transition period. As of early 2026, Iraq is looking at new elections. There’s been a lot of talk in Baghdad about whether Rashid will stay for a second term or if someone else will step in.
Just this month, in January 2026, over 40 people registered to run for the presidency. It’s a crowded field. You’ve got names like Fuad Hussein and Nizar Amedi floating around. Rashid himself is still very much in the mix, though. He’s been meeting with various leaders lately, trying to ensure that the transition to the new parliament—which just had its first session at the end of December 2025—goes smoothly.
Dealing with the neighbors
One thing people often overlook is how much the president handles diplomacy. Rashid has been vocal about Iraq’s sovereignty. He’s had to navigate the tricky waters between the US, Iran, and Turkey.
For instance, he’s been quite firm about Turkey’s military actions in northern Iraq. He’s also been the one at the UN General Assembly talking about "water security"—that engineering background coming in handy again. He argues that if the neighbors keep damming up the rivers, Iraq is going to be in deep trouble.
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Common misconceptions about the Iraqi presidency
- He’s the "Dictator": Not even close. If Rashid tried to act like a dictator, the Parliament would shut him down in about five minutes. He’s a mediator.
- The role is useless: People say it’s "ceremonial," but that’s an oversimplification. When the Prime Minister and the Parliament are fighting, the President is the only one who can legally call them to order or dissolve things. He’s the referee.
- He lives in the Green Zone: Well, this one is actually true. He lives and works in the high-security area of Baghdad, which is pretty much a requirement given the security situation over the last couple of decades.
The personal side of the President
Rashid is married to Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed. If that name sounds familiar to regional experts, it’s because she’s the daughter of the famous Kurdish poet Ibrahim Ahmed. This puts Rashid right in the heart of Kurdish intellectual and political royalty.
He’s seen as a more "calm" figure compared to some of the firebrands in Iraqi politics. He’s not a populist. He doesn't go on TV to scream. He’s more the type to sit down, look at the engineering blueprints of a project, and figure out how to make it work.
What happens next?
If you're tracking who is the Iraq president, keep your eyes on the news over the next few weeks. The 2026 presidential election in Parliament is the big story. Whether Rashid secures a second four-year term or hands over the keys to the Salam Palace will tell us a lot about the direction Iraq is headed.
He’s currently presiding over a country that is finally seeing some stability after years of conflict with ISIS and internal protests. But in Iraq, stability is always a bit fragile.
Actionable insights for following Iraqi politics:
- Watch the Parliament (Council of Representatives): Since the president is elected by lawmakers, not the people, the deals made inside those walls are what matter.
- Look for the PUK vs. KDP dynamic: These are the two big Kurdish parties. Usually, the PUK (Rashid's party) gets the presidency, but the KDP often tries to challenge that.
- Monitor the "Water Issue": If you see Rashid talking about the Tigris or Euphrates, pay attention. It’s his specialty and one of the biggest threats to Iraq’s future.
Keeping up with who holds power in Baghdad is a full-time job, but for now, Abdul Latif Rashid is the man at the top of the letterhead. Whether he stays there past this month is the question everyone in Baghdad is asking.
To stay updated on the specific results of the 2026 parliamentary vote for the presidency, you should monitor the official Iraqi Presidency website or major regional news outlets like Rudaw or Al Jazeera, as the situation can shift rapidly during the formation of a new government.