Abdul Razzaq Al-Ubaidi - INA
Judge Faiq Zaidan has been a crucial point of balance in the Iraqi political landscape, to the point that he is seen as a safety valve for the political process and the figure who maintained the integrity of constitutional procedures during the most complex and sensitive periods. At a time when political disputes threatened to disrupt state institutions, the Iraqi judiciary emerged as the guarantor of the continuity of the democratic system and the protection of its stability.
With the escalating challenges that accompanied the formation of the presidencies after the parliamentary elections, the importance of meticulously adhering to constitutional deadlines and requirements became apparent. Zaidan played a pivotal role in this phase, reinforcing respect for legal procedures and preventing a slide into a vacuum or paralysis. This was clearly reflected in the way the process was managed, culminating in the formation of Ali Zaidi's government, which came about within constitutional timeframes that the judiciary was keen to respect and follow meticulously.
Judge Zaidan's presence during that period was not merely a matter of protocol or formality. Rather, it represented a message of reassurance to Iraqis that the state still possessed institutions capable of protecting the democratic system and maintaining the balance of the political process. For this reason, many Iraqis saw in him the image of a father figure concerned for the country's stability, and a watchful guardian of the integrity of constitutional processes, far removed from political alignments and emotions.
Zaidan clearly expressed this vision when he emphasized the importance of: “Fulfilling the constitutional requirements resulting from the democratic process in the parliamentary elections of October 2025, and forming a government with a new character, different from its predecessors.”
This statement reveals a vision that affirms that the success of the political process can only be achieved through respecting the popular will and adhering to the constitutional frameworks established by the elections, thus ensuring a peaceful transfer of power and institutional stability.
His speech also carried a deeper national dimension when he said: “We hope that this government will succeed in improving the situation of the Iraqi state, fulfilling the aspirations of its great people, and bringing it to a level that earns the approval and satisfaction of the highest religious authority, which expresses the will and desires of Iraqis who love and are loyal to their homeland, a homeland that remains the safe haven that unites us all.”
This speech reflected the image of a statesman who views Iraq as an umbrella encompassing all its citizens and believes that the strength of a democratic system lies not in conflict, but in balance, respect for the law, and prioritizing the national interest.
The presence of Faeq Zaidan gave many Iraqis the feeling that there was an eye watching over and safeguarding the constitutional path, and a figure striving to uphold the scales of justice and protect the state from instability. Therefore, a broad segment of the population became convinced that the Iraqi judiciary was no longer merely an institution concerned with resolving disputes, but had become a pillar of the stability of the democratic system and a guarantee of the state’s continuity.
