Amira Al-Jaber Becomes First Official Candidate for Iraqi Presidency

Amira Al-Jaber, an Iraqi politician and feminist activist, has officially declared her candidacy for the presidency of Iraq, becoming the first individual to enter the presidential race following the opening of applications.

Al-Jaber confirmed that her candidacy has been submitted through the official channels recognized by the Iraqi Council of Representatives, having met all necessary constitutional and legal requirements.

Message to Parliament: The Presidency is Not Just a Formal Position

In statements reported by local media, Al-Jaber conveyed a direct message to members of the Council of Representatives, urging them to select a president who understands Iraq's value and sovereignty, and who can revitalize the presidency's role, which she noted has diminished in recent years.

She emphasized the need for a leader with independence and vision, free from narrow political calculations.

Announcement of Candidacy via Digital Platforms

Al-Jaber opted for a modern approach to announce her presidential bid by sharing her official candidacy message via email to the Council of Representatives and posting it on her social media accounts, which has led to significant engagement with her initiative among both political and public circles.

Political Context and Feminist Activity

Professionally, Amira Al-Jaber is a member of Baghdad's Women's Advisory Council and has been active for years in advocating for women's empowerment and political participation, lending her candidacy a symbolic significance in a country that has never had a female president.

Complex Political Landscape

This development follows the announcement by the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Haibat Al-Halbousi, regarding the opening of candidacies for the presidency, amid a politically sensitive environment characterized by delicate balances.

Since 2003, Iraq has operated under a power-sharing system, where Shiites hold the prime ministership, Kurds the presidency, and Sunnis the parliamentary leadership, with other senior positions distributed among various groups.

Presidential Election Mechanism According to the Constitution

The Iraqi constitution, in Articles 68 and 70, states that the president is elected by a two-thirds majority of the Council of Representatives. If this is not achievable, the position can be filled by a simple majority, making political consensus crucial in the upcoming phase.

A Step That Opens the Debate

Amira Al-Jaber's candidacy is not merely a political statement; it sparks a broader discussion about the role of women, the nature of the presidential office, and the potential to break traditional patterns within Iraq's political system, at a time when the public is eager to see the direction of the next phase.