Iraq's populist Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr on Friday reversed his
decision to boycott October elections and said his movement would take part in
order to help "end corruption".
اضافة اعلان
A firebrand with millions of followers and in command of paramilitary
groups, Sadr is a crucial player in Iraqi politics who has often protested
against the influence of both the
United States and
Iran.
Sadr had said in mid-July that he would not participate in the October 10
parliamentary election and would withdraw support from "anyone who claims
they belong to us in this current and upcoming government."
He reversed that position on Friday, saying he had received pledges from
"certain" political leaders to reform the country and "put an
end to corruption".
Taking part in the elections is "now acceptable", he said during a
televised address, flanked by dozens of officials from his Sadrist movement.
Sadr, whose political manoeuvres have at times puzzled observers, in
February had said he backed early elections overseen by the UN.
Militias loyal to Sadr fought the US-led occupation of Iraq and he retains a
devoted following among the country's majority Shiite population, including in
the poor Baghdad district of Sadr City.
The son of a revered religious figure, Sadr wears a black turban that
signals descent from the family of the Prophet Mohammed.
The parliamentary vote is set to be held under a new electoral law that
reduces the size of constituencies and eliminates list-based voting in favour
of votes for individual candidates.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhemi, who came to power in May last year after
months of unprecedented mass protests against a ruling class seen as corrupt,
inept and subordinate to Tehran, had called the early vote in response to
demands by pro-democracy activists.
Sadr's supporters have been expected to make major gains under the new
electoral system.
His Saeroon bloc is currently the largest in parliament, with 54 out of 329
seats.
Plagued by endemic corruption, poor services, dilapidated infrastructure and
unemployment, Iraq is facing a deep financial crisis compounded by lower oil
prices and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sadr has appeared under pressure in recent weeks, with pro-Iran groups and
individuals attacking him on social media and accusing him of responsibility
for Iraq's recent woes, including electricity shortages and two deadly hospital
fires.
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