Iraq: the party of the Shiite imam Moqtada al-Sadr wins the legislative elections

Published on : 11/30/2021 – 4:32 PM

The electoral commission in Iraq announced, on Tuesday, November 30, the final results of the anticipated legislative elections of October 10, confirming the victory of the current of the Shiite leader Moqtada al-Sadr who becomes the first bloc in Parliament with 73 seats.

The Conquest Alliance, a political showcase for the former pro-Iran paramilitaries of Hachd al-Chaabi, won 17 seats out of 329 in Parliament.

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She has not ceased to cry fraud in recent weeks, when she had 48 deputies in the outgoing Parliament. Some of his supporters have set up a sit-in at one of the entrances to the ultra-secure green zone to denounce the results of the legislative elections, attempting to enter by force in this sector of Baghdad which houses government authorities and embassies.

The rule of law coalition of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, an ally of Hashd and pro-Iran, won 33 seats.

Negotiations to form a government

The past few weeks have been turbulent in Iraq. Prime Minister Mustapha al-Kazimi escaped unscathed in early November from an unclaimed assassination attempt by drone against his residence in Baghdad.

The final results must now be sent to the Federal Court for approval. Parliament can then hold its inaugural session, during which MPs will elect Iraq’s new president.

At the same time, negotiations must continue on the formation of the government. The process is usually marked by interminable negotiations between the major parties dominating the Shiite community which must come to a compromise, regardless of the number of seats in parliament.

But Moqtada al-Sadr is now calling for a “majority” government, made up of the political parties having obtained the highest scores.

With AFP