Muqtada al-Sadr, one of the most influential leaders of Iraqi Shiite Muslims, spoke against the coalition “Nasr” (“Victory”) formed by Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi to participate in the parliamentary elections. This was announced on Sunday by Al Hadath television channel.
“I’m surprised at what Al-Abadi did,” he said, calling the inclusion of a militia (Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi) a “disgusting political deal.”
Earlier, the Iraqi prime minister officially announced an agreement with Hadi al-Amiri, the commander of the Badr brigade, which is part of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi. In addition to representatives of the militia, a number of leaders of the Islamic call-up party, the independent party led by former oil minister Hussein al-Shahristani, and the reform movement led by Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari join the coalition.
In addition, the loyalty of the coalition al-Abadi announced a number of Sunni parties. The political program of the new structure, as the prime minister said, is aimed at preserving the achievements of the republic in the fight against terrorism, the restoration of destroyed cities and countering corruption.
The Supreme Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq has registered more than 200 parties and about 30 coalitions for participation in the elections to the Council of Representatives. The issue of voting in May remains questionable, since the date is not approved by the parliament.
It is expected that the Iraqi prime minister will send a request to the Constitutional Court in order to exclude the possibility of postponement. Parliament on Monday will hold a meeting at which it will discuss amendments to the law on elections and the budget of the country – it is not excluded that the deputies will insist on their postponement.
Muqtada al-Sadr repeatedly in recent years has spoken out against the policies of the incumbent prime minister, accusing him of failing to reform and eradicate corruption. The preacher organized thousands of anti-government demonstrations in the center of Baghdad, often outgrown in turmoil.
With the victory over the Islamic State terrorist group, al-Sadr spoke in support of al-Abadi and his course. In particular, the politician called for the disarmament of non-governmental groups and called for the exclusion of Al-Hashd Al-Shaabi participation in the upcoming elections.