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Iraq Takes Steps Toward Finally Setting Up New Government

On Tuesday, parliament elected Kurdish politician Barham Salih to serve as Iraq's new president. He, in turn, quickly chose a new prime minister.

Iraq Takes Steps Toward Finally Setting Up New Government
Iraqi Parliament
SMS

Iraq is finally taking steps to set up a new government after the country's election in May was inconclusive. 

On Tuesday, parliament elected Kurdish politician Barham Salih to serve as Iraq's new president. He quickly, in turn, chose Shiite politician Adel Abdul Mahdi as the country's prime minister. 

The presidential seat is traditionally held by a Kurd, though it's a mostly ceremonial role. And the prime minister spot is traditionally a Shiite. 

Iraq's constitution says Salih had 15 days after being elected to tap the nominee of the largest coalition to form a government. Instead, he did it within hours. 

Now, Mahdi has 30 days to pick a cabinet and send it off to parliament for approval.