Latest news with #SadristMovement
See - Sada Elbalad
10-05-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Iraqi President Hopes for Success in US-Iran Talks
By Ahmad El-Assasy Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid has expressed hope for the success of the ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, warning that failure could have negative consequences for regional stability. In an interview with Al Arabiya News Channel on Saturday, Rashid emphasised that the presence of US and international coalition forces in Iraq is based on bilateral agreements with the Iraqi government. He added that information sharing between Baghdad and Washington remains active, particularly in efforts to combat terrorism. 'We do not allow any group or organisation to use Iraqi territory to launch attacks against neighbouring or non-neighbouring countries,' Rashid stated, calling on regional powers to resolve disputes through dialogue rather than conflict. On domestic issues, the president reaffirmed Iraq's commitment to holding timely elections. 'We take pride in conducting elections on schedule over the past years. We've set the date for the next election, and all state institutions are prepared to carry out this important democratic event,' he said. Rashid encouraged all political factions, including the influential Sadrist Movement, to participate in the upcoming vote, emphasising the need for a parliament that reflects the will of the Iraqi people. He also clarified that there is unanimous agreement among Iraqi political actors to proceed with the elections as scheduled, underlining that there is no constitutional basis for extending the term of the current government. The Iraqi Cabinet had previously voted to hold the next parliamentary elections on 11 November 2025. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Shafaq News
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Iraq's democratic malaise: Challenges mount ahead of 2025 Elections
Shafaq News/ Iraq has officially scheduled its next parliamentary elections for November 11, 2025. But behind the set date looms a gathering storm, political withdrawals, economic fragility, legislative retrenchment, and public disillusionment, all raising fears that the vote could deepen rather than resolve the country's democratic malaise. A Missing Voice Perhaps the most destabilizing development ahead of Iraq's 2025 elections is the withdrawal of its largest popular force, the Patriotic Shiite Movement (formerly the Sadrist Movement) led by the prominent cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr. Once a dominant player, the group has vanished from the current electoral scene, leaving behind a vacuum no other bloc seems capable of filling. In the 2021 elections, the movement captured 73 seats—up from 54 in 2018—galvanizing support in key provinces like Baghdad, Dhi Qar, and Maysan. It channeled the fervor of the October uprising into electoral clout, injecting urgency and unpredictability into Iraq's political rhythm. Muqtada al-Sadr left little ambiguity about the reasons behind the boycott, stating, 'Let it be known to all: as long as corruption persists, I will not take part in any crippled electoral process that serves only sectarian and partisan interests.' What marked 2021 as a grassroots-driven turning point may render 2025 a regression. The shift from parliamentary leadership to street influence is stark. A senior coordinator from the movement, requesting anonymity, explained, 'There is no intention to return under the current political framework, which betrayed the October martyrs and cemented sectarian and corrupt quotas.' Former parliamentarian Hakim al-Zamili reinforced that view, warning that any election held without those who once catalyzed street-led change would be 'meaningless.' The ramifications extend beyond electoral arithmetic. The movement's withdrawal has turned a dynamic contest into a lopsided race, raising serious concerns about legitimacy and public engagement. Mohammad Qutaiba, Secretary-General of the al-Bawasel Party and a current member of parliament, pointed to the deepening sense of detachment among Iraqis, stating, 'The greatest challenge to holding successful elections is the expected large-scale voter apathy, especially if the Patriotic Shiite Movement continues its boycott.' Law Under Siege Iraq's return to a closed-list electoral system has ignited a political storm, stirring accusations that the revised framework is designed to sideline independents and tighten the grip of established parties. Applied across 83 constituencies, the system has become a flashpoint for activists, lawmakers, and legal experts who view it as a calculated retreat from hard-won democratic reforms. Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi denounced the law as unconstitutional, warning that challenges in court could disrupt or even derail the electoral process. His concerns tap into a broader unease over what many see as a deliberate reshaping of the political playing field in favor of entrenched actors. The shift is especially jarring when set against the backdrop of the 2021 elections. That vote introduced an open-list, single non-transferable vote system that divided the country into smaller districts, a model born from the October 2019 protests. Over 70 independents, many tied to the protest movement, entered parliament. That momentum now seems to be slipping away. The re-imposed closed-list structure gives party elites the power to determine candidate order while concealing individual names, effectively blocking fresh voices from entering the race. The change has raised deep concerns among those who fought for more transparency and inclusion. Civil society activist Inas Jabbar described the law as a targeted strike against marginalized groups. 'The law intentionally eliminates the role of independents, women, and youth, creating a monopoly for major parties who already control resources and media,' she observed. Her words mirror a growing sentiment across civic spaces, where anxiety about democratic backsliding has resurfaced. Statistical evidence reinforces that fear. A 2024 study by the Iraqi Electoral Rights Observatory found that more than 78% of projected winners under the current system hail from parties established before 2010. For critics, this figure is more than a data point, it is proof of an entrenched elite rewriting the rules to their advantage. The frustration has spilled into town halls and forums, where reform advocates are raising their voices once again. Many believe the law is being manipulated to shut out challengers and safeguard the status quo. 'We're watching lawmakers hijack the law to eliminate rivals and lock the gates of change,' Jabbar charged, capturing the growing disillusionment among Iraq's younger political forces. Despite the rising tensions, calls to uphold the November election timeline have come from across all political spectrum. Diaa al-Hindi, a member of parliament from the Imtidad Movement, framed the scheduled vote as a vital pillar of constitutional legitimacy and democratic continuity. He argued that any effort to question or delay the elections would only deepen public skepticism. 'The greatest challenge to the elections is the attempt by some groups to undermine public confidence by questioning the legitimacy of the scheduled date or pushing for legal changes that serve narrow interests,' he warned. Al-Hindi also drew attention to the broader conditions surrounding the vote. 'Transparency, limits on political financing, and fair electoral conditions must be guaranteed,' he emphasized, urging authorities to create a level playing field for all candidates. Independent lawmaker Jawad al-Yassari offered a technical critique of the system's design, zeroing in on the use of the Sainte-Laguë method within single-province electoral districts. In his view, the arrangement tilts the scales in favor of dominant parties, leaving independents and emerging coalitions at a disadvantage. 'Making each province a single electoral district under the Sainte-Laguë method restricts opportunities for new or unaffiliated lists unless they join with established entities,' he explained. Losing Faith Beneath shifting electoral laws and party strategies lies Iraq's deeper affliction; a haemorrhage of public trust. Street protests have become a recurring expression of public frustration. While each wave of demonstrations may be triggered by specific events—such as the recent strikes by educators in Dhi Qar—the underlying causes are remarkably consistent and deeply rooted in structural failures that have persisted since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime. Corruption remains a central grievance. Despite billions of dollars in oil revenues, the public sector is riddled with inefficiency and a lack of transparency, breeding a culture of impunity. Iraqis routinely voice anger at the inability of successive governments to prosecute high-level corruption, which they believe siphons resources away from vital services and development. Unemployment, particularly among the country's youth, continues to fuel discontent. With over 60% of Iraq's population under the age of 25, many young people find themselves without meaningful job opportunities. The paradox of joblessness in an oil-rich nation has eroded trust in the state's capacity to deliver even the most basic economic rights. Poor public services further exacerbate the sense of abandonment. In provinces like Basra and Dhi Qar, where the state's presence is often most visible in the form of neglect, citizens contend with chronic electricity outages, contaminated water, and a crumbling healthcare system. The political system itself is increasingly seen as a barrier to progress. Built on a sectarian quota model (muhasasa), the system encourages patronage over merit and division over unity. Many Iraqis, especially among the younger generations, view the current political elite as disconnected from the struggles of ordinary citizens and more invested in maintaining their own power than in reform. Foreign influence compounds the frustration. Demonstrators have often denounced both American and Iranian involvement in domestic affairs, asserting Iraq's right to political sovereignty. This sentiment was especially pronounced during the 2019 protests when slogans like 'We want a homeland' became rallying cries for national dignity and independence. In addition, the erosion of human rights and the violent suppression of dissent have only deepened public anger. The killings and disappearances of activists, especially since the October 2019 uprising, remain largely unaddressed. For many, justice remains elusive, further underscoring the disconnect between the state's rhetoric and the lived reality of its citizens. 'I'm 28 and have never seen an election where my voice mattered,' explained Sara, a schoolteacher protesting in Dhi Qar. 'Why should I vote when the same people keep returning with new promises and old failures?' This growing disillusionment is mirrored in the numbers. Voter turnout has plunged, from over 60% in 2010 to just under 44% in 2021. That last figure, though low, reflected cautious optimism sparked by protest-driven reforms. In 2025, participation may sink even further, as many Iraqis believe those reforms have already been dismantled. A late 2024 survey by the Al-Bayan Center found that only 31% of eligible voters plan to participate in the upcoming elections. Over 60% of respondents pointed to corruption and political stagnation as their primary reasons for disengagement. Social researcher Noor al-Saffar reflects on the change in tone between the last election and the present moment. In 2021, she observed cautious optimism among the public, a belief that reform could still be achieved incrementally. Now, in 2025, what she sees is hardened resignation. People increasingly regard elections as rituals that do not translate into reform. However, former MP Kamel Nawwaf al-Ghurairi, now affiliated with the Mubadara Bloc, believes dominant factions may be misreading the mood of the electorate. He warns that some political leaders are forgetting a crucial fact—their legitimacy is still shaped by how people perceive them. According to him, both Sunni and Shiite figures who have lost popular support should brace for surprising results at the polls. Beyond public sentiment, Political analyst Ali al-Habib highlights mounting concerns over the integrity of the electoral process itself. Technical issues such as inaccurate voter rolls, vulnerabilities in electronic voting systems, and the recurrence of procedural violations from previous cycles remain unaddressed. These flaws, he explains, continue to cast a long shadow over the credibility of upcoming elections. Budget on the Brink Iraq's path to elections is facing another deepening threat, financial instability. With the economy tightly bound to the fate of global oil markets, a slide in prices and a disruption in Kurdish oil deliveries are placing growing pressure on the federal budget. The 2023–2025 budget, calculated on a benchmark of $70 per barrel, is showing signs of stress as global crude hovers below $75. The situation is further complicated by a significant shortfall in oil deliveries from the Kurdistan Region. Official figures confirm that in 2024, only 58% of the Region's committed oil was transferred into the federal system. The implications stretch far beyond economic balance sheets. A fragile budget risks undermining the very infrastructure required to hold elections. Without stable funding, preparations for voter registration, ballot printing, and security coordination may falter. In 2021, Iraq enjoyed a different reality. A post-crash surge in oil prices helped restore revenues, pushed foreign reserves above $60 billion, and allowed the electoral process to unfold relatively smoothly. Today, that cushion has worn thin. A heavily burdened public sector, combined with narrowing fiscal margins, has raised the stakes. Over 4 million state employees and pensioners rely on uninterrupted monthly payments, an obligation that consumes a vast portion of the national budget. Warnings are growing louder. Energy analyst Dr. Maher al-Jubouri cautioned that 'any dip below $65 per barrel will render major government obligations, including election logistics, unsustainable without new borrowing or cuts.' The strain is already disrupting election planning. The Federal Electoral Commission is working with a 12% budget shortfall, placing critical operations at risk. Staffing, logistical support, and the procurement of essential technologies now hang in the balance, challenges that were largely absent during the 2021 cycle. Currency volatility and international banking restrictions have further complicated matters, slowing the transfer of crucial funds to regional offices tasked with implementing the next phase of the electoral timeline. A senior official from the Finance Ministry warned that unless emergency allocations are secured by mid-2025, 'voter registration expansion, ballot printing, and security deployment could face debilitating setbacks.'
Rudaw Net
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PUK and KDP seek greater foothold in Baghdad, says Kurdish MP
Also in Iraq 95% fish, 30% buffalos in Iraq's marshes are lost: NGO Kurdistan's oil exports to resume 'in coming hours': oil ministry Oil producers welcome Rubio's efforts to restart Kurdish exports Iraq welcomes Ocalan's call for PKK's dissolution A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish political parties are looking to strengthen their footholds in Baghdad through upcoming Iraqi elections to resolve 'tangled issues' such as disputed areas and federal budget shares, a Kurdish member of the Iraqi parliament said at the Erbil Forum on Thursday. 'We notice a growing interest to enhance the Kurdish presence in Baghdad through parliament,' said Aso Faraidoon, an MP from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), adding that he anticipates both the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) will strive for a more effective participation in Baghdad, especially to address the lingering issues of disputed territories such as Kirkuk and federal budget allocations amid regional uncertainties. 'The impact of regional and international influence on Iraq in the upcoming period may be higher in the coming months', Faraidoon said. 'We don't know what the nature of the relationship between the United States and regional states will be like, in part Syria.' Iraqi parliamentary elections are tentatively scheduled for October 2025. Faraidoon anticipated a high voter turnout if Muqtada al-Sadr's Sadrist Movement decides to re-enter the political arena, potentially mobilizing voters in the predominantly Shiite central and southern provinces. Rafi' Abduljabbar Azzawi, a former Iraqi MP from the Sadrist Movement was also on the panel at the forum. He noted that Sadr's February 19 call for his supporters to update their voter registration records 'does not necessarily indicate a shift in his stance on participating in Iraq's upcoming elections, but rather to urge Iraqis to take a stand in the critical period ahead.' In 2021, Sadr announced he was withdrawing from politics despite achieving a decisive victory, winning 73 seats in the election. He condemned political corruption in his announcement. His participation in the upcoming elections could significantly impact voter turnout and, subsequently, the trajectory of the political process in Iraq. Raed Fahmi, secretary-general of the Iraqi Communist Party, speaking on the panel highlighted the need for a 'strong state of institutions' and censured the 'sectarian and ethnic foundations' that have led to a 'fragile state incapable of delivering services.' He pointed to low voter turnout numbers and said Iraq needs to move toward a state of citizenship rather than a state divided along sectarian lines. Mustafa Ayash al-Kubaisi, secretary-general of the National Monument Party, reflected on the historical lack of Sunni political preparation in post-2003 Iraq, which he said has resulted in divisions and weak political representation. 'The Sunnis did not prepare an agenda for the post-2003 phase, which left the decision and representation of Sunni-majority provinces in limbo,' Kubaisi said. He attributed the historically low voter turnout in Sunni regions to internal disputes and a lack of faith in true political partnership. As Iraq prepares for its next elections, the challenges of voter apathy, political fragmentation, and regional instability remain significant hurdles. While Kurdish parties are positioning themselves to strengthen their role in Baghdad, concerns over governance, legitimacy, and electoral fairness continue to loom large over Iraq's political future.
Shafaq News
26-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
2025 Erbil Forum: Parliament Speaker affirms Iraq's stability key to US energy interests
Shafaq News/ On Wednesday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani ruled out any threat to Iraq from ongoing regional developments, highlighting the country's strategic energy resources and their significance to the United States. The US Needs Iraq Speaking at the third edition of the Erbil Forum, titled "The Future of the Middle East Amid Mounting Uncertainty," al-Mashhadani stated, "Iraq has achieved security stability and is beginning to stabilize economically, adopting a neutral approach to what is happening around it to rebuild itself,' confirming his engagement "in building a prosperous Iraq as it once was, restoring its role in the region, and opening the door to global investment in the new Iraq." Iraq reportedly possesses 1,432 underground energy resources suitable for investment and industrial use, along with various other investment opportunities, with Al Anbar, the richest province in terms of resources, set to play a major role in future investments, followed by Al-Muthanna. 'This makes Iraq one of the world's most significant energy reserves.' "For this reason, major powers such as the US and Europe will ensure Iraq's stability to maintain the flow of these resources," he added. "There is no threat to Iraq from the events unfolding around it." Decline in Corruption The Iraqi Speaker acknowledged that corruption, particularly during periods of security breakdown, had turned into a social phenomenon. 'However,' he affirmed, 'it has begun to decline under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's government,' referring to the financial and administrative corruption in state institutions and departments. Legislative Challenges in Iraq Al-Mashhadani described the current parliamentary term as "the worst," citing key challenges: the first year saw conflict between the Sadrist Movement and the Shiite Coordination Framework, the second year involved a power struggle in Al-Anbar, the third year focused on electing a new parliament speaker, and the fourth year is centered around elections. Despite these challenges, he confirmed that Iraq will remain stable within an optional federal system. 'If we can maintain this calm, stability, and economic growth in the next elections while improving living conditions, then we are on the right path, and this should be part of the next government's agenda.' President Barzani's Role in Resolving Disputes The Iraqi Speaker praised the efforts of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani in resolving disputes and outstanding issues between Erbil and Baghdad. "When President Barzani came to Baghdad, he found what pleased him." He further underlined his ongoing commitment to communication with Barzani, stressing, "We are one fabric, and when a crisis arises, we do not address it through the media. President Barzani and the Prime Minister of Kurdistan [Masrour Barzani] should continue their visits to Baghdad to avoid any gaps."
Shafaq News
22-02-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Sadrist Movement to take charge of 200+ amnesty cases
Shafaq News/ Saraya Al-Salam, the military wing of the Sadrist Movement, formed a committee to review more than 200 legal cases under Iraq's General Amnesty Law, the group announced on Saturday. According to a document addressed to the leader of the Patriotic Shiite Movement (Sadrist), Muqtada Al-Sadr, the committee will focus on examining and following up on the cases of 204 individuals covered by the Amnesty Law. Earlier, the Iraqi Supreme Judicial Council instructed the Directorate of Prisons to immediately release those granted amnesty after the Iraqi Parliament passed the law along with the Restitution and Personal Status laws on January 21.
