Iraq witnessed its first provincial council elections in a decade on Monday. The ruling Shi’ite Muslim alliance is anticipated to maintain its influence, with populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a major political rival, opting for a boycott.
These elections serve as a precursor to the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2025. It is crucial in determining the nation’s power dynamics, especially as groups with close ties to Iran have gained prominence in politics and the economy.
This electoral process is also viewed as a litmus test for Iraq’s fledgling democracy, established by the U.S. after the overthrow of dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003.
Apathy among the predominantly young population has risen, driven by a sense of not reaping the benefits of Iraq’s substantial oil wealth, much of which is either misdirected or stolen in one of the world’s most corrupt nations.
With just over 16 million Iraqis registered to vote, a decrease from the 2021 parliamentary polls, politicians emphasized a high turnout. The elections, occurring in 15 of Iraq’s 18 provinces, aim to select 285 council members responsible for appointing influential provincial governors and overseeing local administration.
The likely dominance of Sadr’s Shi’ite rivals, especially in the predominantly Shi’ite southern provinces, would further consolidate the power of the ruling Shi’ite alliance, known as the Coordination Framework, with close ties to Iran. This alliance already constitutes the largest bloc in parliament after members of Sadr’s party withdrew.
Moqtada al-Sadr, a populist positioning himself against both Iran and the United States, views these elections as reinforcing the dominance of a perceived corrupt political class.
Notably, the two most powerful Sunni Muslim leaders in Iraq, ousted parliament speaker Mohammed Halbousi and business mogul Khamees Khanjar, are running together. Elections in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, comprising three provinces, are anticipated next year.
