The presidency, traditionally occupied by a Kurd, is a largely ceremonial position but the vote is a key step toward forming a new government, which politicians have failed to do since the election.

Under Iraq’s constitution, Salih had 15 days to invite the nominee of the largest parliamentary bloc to form a government but he chose to do so less than two hours after his election, Reuters reported.

Abdul Mahdi now has 30 days to form a cabinet and present it to parliament for approval.

Since Saddam Hussein was toppled in a 2003 U.S.-led invasion, power has been shared among Iraq’s three largest ethnic-sectarian components.

The prime minister has traditionally been a Shi’ite Arab, the speaker of parliament a Sunni Arab and the president a Kurd.

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