The Government of Iraq
Overview
- Capital: Baghdad
- Administrative regions: 18 governorates, including those making up the Kurdistan Region
- Government & legal system: Federal parliamentary republic; civil law system with Islamic law influence. By long-standing informal convention (muhasasa), the Presidency is held by a Kurd, the Prime Ministership by a Shia Arab, and the Speakership of Parliament by a Sunni Arab. (government site)
- Head of state / government: Nizar Amidi, President (largely ceremonial, in office since April 12, 2026); Ali al-Zaidi, Prime Minister (head of government, in office since May 2026, following the November 2025 parliamentary election and a five-month government-formation deadlock) (official page)
- Official language(s): Arabic and Kurdish (both official)
- National Day: July 14 (Republic Day, marking the 1958 revolution)
- Independence: October 3, 1932 (from the British Mandate)
- Other official holidays: Army Day (Jan 6), Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (official site)
- Regional / international memberships: United Nations/ UN, Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries/ OPEC
- Visa / entry requirements: An e-visa is available for eligible nationalities through Iraq’s national e-visa portal. (visa info)
- Currency: Iraqi dinar (IQD) — notes depict national landmarks such as the Great Mosque of Samarra and the Hadba Minaret.
- Flag symbolism: Horizontal red-white-black tricolor with the green phrase ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is Greatest) in Kufic script centered on the white band — red represents courage, white generosity, black the nation’s past struggles, and the green inscription (added in 1991) affirms Islamic faith.
