Baghdad: Ground zero in the battle for Iraq's Parliament
Among the political 'veterans' contesting the capital are Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition; Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani of the Euphrates Movement (Al-Furatain); Hadi al-Ameri, head of the Badr Organization; Former Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi of the Taqaddum Party; and Mohsen al-Mandalawi, head of the Al-Asas Coalition. All are entering the race with individual lists.
These figures remain "popularly accepted" in Baghdad, according to Mukhtar al-Moussawi, a senior official in the Badr Organization, who described, to Shafaq News Agency, the upcoming election on November 11, 2025, as 'difficult and decisive,' reflecting rising tensions within the ruling coalition and beyond.
It remains unclear where the largest voting bloc will lean, especially if the previous election serves as a benchmark. At the time, the Sadrist Movement secured 27 seats before its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, withdrew his parliamentary bloc amid fierce disputes over the results and subsequent calls to rerun the vote.
Al-Moussawi attributed the fragmentation to recent moves by al-Sudani to distance himself from the Coordination Framework, a Shiite bloc that underpins much of the current government.
Al-Sudani's Coalition
Al-Sudani unveiled a broad electoral alliance under the banner of the "Reconstruction and Development Coalition' bringing together seven political forces: al-Sudani's own Euphrates Movement, the Bilad Sumer Gathering led by Labor Minister Ahmed al-Asadi, the National Coalition of former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, Karbala Innovation Alliance headed by Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi, Ajyal Bloc of MP Mohammed al-Sayhoud, National Solutions Alliance led by Mohammed Sahib al-Daraji, and the National Contract party led by Faleh al-Fayyadh.
The Coordination Framework, once a unified force, will now enter the vote with multiple lists. State of Law, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Ammar al-Hakim's Hikma Movement are each fielding their slates. Still, leaders maintain the option to reunify post-election, potentially forming a consolidated bloc depending on the outcome.
All eyes are now on the potential gains of several blocs, particularly those that underperformed in Baghdad during the last election compared to the Sadrists' strong showing. Key questions linger about the possibility of the State of Law Coalition surpassing its previous 11-seat tally, or the Euphrates Movement winning more than a single seat. Similar doubts surround other factions that secured only minimal representation at the time.
Regional and Local Contexts
Political analyst Mujashaa al-Tamimi framed the return of veteran leaders as part of a larger recalibration driven by internal and regional developments. Domestically, Baghdad's role as the epicenter of political power has magnified its importance, making it a crucial battleground for influence.
'The resurgence of younger, reform-oriented figures poses a visible challenge to traditional elites,' al-Tamimi noted to Shafaq News, emphasizing that these established leaders are keen to reinforce their relevance and maintain control of the political narrative.
Regionally, Iraqi factions are navigating shifting dynamics. Waning Iranian influence, changes in Syria's political regime, and pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon have redrawn the regional landscape. Also, Ongoing US-Iran talks, viewed as nearing resolution, may further reshape power alignments, prompting Iraqi players to seek legitimacy at home.
'Elections in Baghdad send the clearest message, those who want to influence Iraq's future must begin here, not in neighboring capitals,' al-Tamimi added.
Baghdad: The Heart of Competition
Former MP Kazem al-Sayyadi pointed to Baghdad's electoral weight, 69 parliamentary seats, equal to roughly five southern provinces combined, as the core reason for the fierce contest. He also flagged growing concerns over vote-buying, with reports of ballots fetching up to one million dinars or $300 in some districts, as he revealed to Shafaq News.
Despite the mounting momentum, the race remains unpredictable. Former lawmaker Kamel al-Ghurairi observed that while some figures wield nationwide influence, 'no single leader is guaranteed dominance in Baghdad,' he stated in an interview with Shafaq News.
Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission confirmed that over 29 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, with ongoing updates to the voter registry. Campaigning is expected to begin shortly before the election date.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
2 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Iraq sentences foreign trafficker to death, destroys seized drugs
Shafaq News – Baghdad/Basra/Erbil/Maysan Iraq intensified its anti-narcotics efforts on Monday with a series of actions across the country, including a death sentence for a foreign trafficker, large-scale drug destruction in Erbil, and multiple arrests. In Basra, the Criminal Court sentenced a foreign national to death after police found five kilograms of methamphetamine and tramadol intended for sale. The Supreme Judicial Council said the ruling was issued under Iraq's 2017 Anti-Narcotics Law. In Baghdad, two Iraqis received life sentences after being caught with over three kilograms of hashish. The verdict was based on the same law, alongside penal code provisions for criminal involvement. In the Kurdistan Region, Erbil authorities destroyed more than 14 kilograms of confiscated narcotics—marijuana, hashish, heroin, opium, syringes, and over 300 tablets—following final court rulings. In Maysan province, security forces arrested another foreign national attempting to smuggle 10 kilograms of drugs into the country. The arrest followed an intelligence-led operation, according to a statement by local authorities. Drug trafficking and abuse have become growing concerns in Iraq. Speaking at the Democracy Summit in Seoul, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani called for the creation of an international alliance to combat the spread of narcotics, warning that 'drugs have claimed countless young lives worldwide.'
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Unidentified drone crashes in Duhok amid heightened security concerns
Shafaq News – Duhok An unidentified drone crashed Monday evening in the Bardarash district, north of Duhok in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, a security source in the Iraqi Ministry of Interior reported. The source told Shafaq News that the drone went down in a remote area and that its origin remains unknown. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the incident caused any casualties or material damage. A local source said that security forces are investigating the crash and working to determine further details. The incident occurred just hours after Iraq's National Security Adviser, Qassem al-Araji, concluded a visit to the Kurdistan Region, where he emphasized that the Region's security is critical to Iraq's overall stability. His visit came amid growing concerns over recent drone strikes targeting the area. According to a statement from al-Araji's office, a joint security committee held meetings with officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and local security agencies in Erbil to review recent drone activity. Al-Araji also noted that coordination between Iraqi and Kurdish authorities remains ongoing, with technical teams continuing to analyze data related to the recent strikes.
Memri
4 hours ago
- Memri
Egyptian Journalist: The October 7 Attack Is The Reason For Gaza's Destruction; Hamas Rejects All Offers, Sacrifices The People Of Gaza To Survive As A Military Force
Egyptian journalist Ahmad Abd Al-Wahhab, deputy director of the editorial board at the Egyptian government daily Akhbar Al-Yawm, who also writes for the Saudi news website Elaph, recently published several articles in which he sharply criticized Hamas. He wrote this movement has brought disaster upon the people of the Gaza Strip by embarking on the "escapade" of October 7 at the expense of the Palestinian national interest, and that it therefore bears responsibility for the war being waged in Gaza today. Hamas, he added, uses the Gazans as human shields and ignores the large number of casualties in its effort to continue fighting and remain in control of Gaza at any price. As the result of this stubbornness, it has lost the trust of both the Gazans and of its former supporters, and thus can no longer present itself as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Abd Al-Wahhab concluded that Hamas must therefore cede power in Gaza and hand it back to the Palestinian Authority. Al-Wahhab's articles echo numerous voices in the Arab and Islamic world that have criticized Hamas' decision to attack Israel, claiming that this was an illegitimate and unjustified move in light of the heavy cost in lives and property. Some of these voices even urged Hamas to ceded power and disarm in order to save what can still be salvaged of Gaza.[1] Armed Hamas fighters (Image: March 20, 2025) The following are translated excerpts from Al-Wahhab's recent articles: Hamas Uses Gaza Civilians As Human Shields; What It Does Is Not Resistance In an article published on June 17, 2025, Al-Wahab wrote: "Hamas' rule over the Gaza Strip clearly caused it to feel that it could take on the occupation, and indeed, it planned the October 7 attack, which was a turning point in the [history of] the entire Middle East. The movement members perpetrated an attack that dominated global discourse, caused severe embarrassment to the Netanyahu government and exposed the fragility of the 'Iron Dome' [system] that Israel [considered] an impenetrable deterrence. "Hamas viewed the October 7 attack as a historic victory over the Israeli occupation without considering or preparing for the Israeli response… The blow Hamas dealt to Israel led the occupation government to shift from the notion of ruling over the Palestinian territories to an operation of systematic genocide… People are killed and wounded every day in the Israeli attacks [on Gaza] which directly affect civilians. [Yet,] faced with this torrent of Palestinian blood, Hamas has rejected all the mediators' ceasefire proposals and set conditions that are primarily intended to preserve its existence as a military [force] and to maintain its power in Gaza, regardless of the magnitude of the human price that has been paid since its barbaric October 7 attack… "Amid Hamas' position that calls to continue the fighting, the civilians became human shields that Hamas sacrifices in its war against the occupation, [a situation] that has provoked public fury among the people of Gaza… What Hamas is doing in Gaza exceed the boundaries of resistance. Given the scope of the destruction, it is legally and morally responsible [for the situation]. [Yet] the movement does not heed the increasing calls from the opposition [in Gaza] to agree to a period of calm under any conditions. On the contrary, it employs means of repression against anyone who opposes it. "Therefore, the responsibility for the harsh response of the occupation army to the October 7 attack lies with Hamas, which prefered its own interests and political achievements over the lives of the people. Today, if there remains even a sliver of hope to save Gaza, this movement must restore Gaza to the rule of the Palestinian Authority, so as to thwart the Israeli plan to eliminate the Palestinian cause through the Gaza gateway."[2] The Gazans Pay The Price Of Hamas's Mistakes In The October 7 Attack In an article published on June 8, 2025, Abd Al-Wahab wrote that Hamas' standing in the Arab world has taken a blow as a result of its insistence to continue the war with Israel at the expense of its people: "…There can be no doubt that [Hamas's] decision to carry out the October 7 [attack] is the main reason for the devastation of the Gaza Strip, and reflects Hamas' recklessness and its failure to anticipate the Israeli response Gaza was likely to face. This response arrived with brutal force, as though Israel was [just] waiting for Hamas to make a mistake so that it could carry out the largest invasion in history against an unarmed population, causing tremendous devastation in Gaza. The destructive Gaza war continues to claim victims and to immerse Gaza in further misery and hunger, but despite this Hamas, seemingly detached from reality. stubbornly clings to military options that have no impact on the occupation army, which enjoys the support of the U.S. "Hamas's increasing isolation is no longer just a political impression. It is an obvious fact that grows clearer each day in light of the international positions, the mediators' refusal to consider [Hamas's] proposals, and especially the decline of the Arab stance that used to politically cover for [Hamas]… Even countries that traditionally supported Hamas have begun to distance themselves from extending political or even humanitarian support for it. There has been a significant decline in the official Arab discourse [in support of] the movement, and an increasing support for the diplomatic efforts put forward by the Palestinian Authority. This shows that Hamas is losing its strategic depth, after it chose military escalation as the only option despite the warnings and despite the tremendous destruction caused by its October 7 escapade. "But gravest of all is the effect on the relationship between Hamas and the Gazans themselves. The civilians' daily suffering prevents any expressions of solidarity with the movement leadership. On the contrary, a deep rift has formed between what the people want – security, food, and an exit from the hell – and what Hamas insists on: militant slogans and positions that do not reflect any flexibility or any rethinking of its path. It appears that the movement's military and political leadership [lives] in a world of its own, publishing statements from underground while the people aboveground search for a crust of bread beneath the rubble to relieve the hunger of their children. "The insistence on fighting amid such devastation and isolation does not seem heroic. This is stubbornness at the expense of the national interest. It is worrying that the [Hamas] leadership sticks to the option [of fighting] in the field when it lacks any means [to do so], other than causing more pain. This leadership does not recognize that its first obligation to the [Palestinian] people is to protect them and not to drag them into a long-term campaign whose duration no one can predict. 'A movement that loses the trust of the mediators, is accused by the Gazans of incompetence, and loses its regional allies cannot continue to present itself as the representative of the Palestinian people. Legitimacy derives from serving the people and not from launching missiles from among the ruins, which leads to doom and destruction. If Hamas doesn't reexamine its positions and stop underappreciating the suffering of the civilians, it will not remain isolated on the international level, but will suffer internal isolation that is likely to cost it its very existence in the future Palestinian arena."[3] The Destruction In The Gaza Strip Stems From Hamas's Aspirations For Exclusive Control In a May 17, 2025 article, Abd Al-Wahab wrote: "Almost a year and a half has passed since the October 7 attack, which is the main reason for the chaos and destruction in the Gaza Strip. Hamas obviously knew that Israel would respond to the attack on its citizens, but [nevertheless] wanted to score a victory for 'the resistance' while ignoring the magnitude of the consequences that were likely to ensue. "Hamas knows well that the death of its senior officials in the war is the natural price of the resistance. But what is worse is that it applies the same logic to the people of Gaza, and, as a result, thousands of civilians have died in an unprecedented war that has been transformed Gaza into piles of rubble. "Hamas's coup against the Palestinian Authority and its seizure of exclusive power in Gaza caused a deep rift on the path of the Palestinian cause. The total destruction of all aspects of life in the Gaza Strip results from Hamas's bid for exclusive control without any thought for a political path or a solution to the conflict with Israel. "The political picture in Gaza has become more complicated, due to Netanyahu's desire to achieve a personal victory which he will use to deal with the tremendous pressure he is facing from the Israeli opposition and the families of the hostages held by Hamas. Hamas also understands that its fate is currently on the line, so it attempts to extricate itself from this crisis without risking its survival or its rule in Gaza… "[Stuck] between Netanyahu's loathsome ambitions and Hamas's ambition to remain in power, the people of Gaza remain the victims of the destructive war. This has sparked great fury among the Gazans, who have begun to understand that Hamas uses them as human shields against the Israeli aggression. Furthermore, they see no clear horizon for the future of Gaza, which remains threatened and uncertain – especially since the war will not end as long as both sides of the conflict cling to their ambitions."[4]
