(Baghdad) The powerful Shiite leader Moqtada Sadr on Wednesday demanded the dissolution of the Iraqi Parliament and early legislative elections, saying that there was “no interest” in dialogue with his opponents in a context of total political paralysis.
Updated yesterday at 3:37 p.m.
The televised address of the troublemaker of Iraqi political life, the first since his supporters invaded the seat of Parliament on Saturday to install a sit incomes at a time when calls for dialogue are multiplying on the political scene in Iraq.
Tensions have risen a notch in Iraq after Mr. Sadr rejected a candidate for prime minister put forward by his adversaries, the pro-Iran Shiite factions that form the influential Coordination Framework.
“I am certain that the majority of the population is exasperated by the ruling class in its entirety, including some (politicians) belonging to my Current”, acknowledged the Shiite leader in his speech broadcast Wednesday evening on local televisions.
“From now on, there will be no more former figures, whatever their affiliation”, he assured, proposing “a peaceful revolutionary democratic process, then early democratic elections after the dissolution of the current Parliament “.
The Sadrist Current had won the last legislative elections of October 2021 hands down, with 73 elected in the Parliament of 329 deputies.
But in June, Mr. Sadr created a surprise by causing his deputies to resign, having failed with his allies to appoint a prime minister and form a “majority” government.
Continuation of sit in
Nearly ten months of negotiations and political squabbles between the parties have not allowed Iraq to appoint a new President of the Republic or a head of government.
Mr. Sadr launched a campaign of maximum pressure against his adversaries, and demonstrated that he was still capable of mobilizing the crowds to advance his pawns: twice in late July his supporters invaded Parliament, setting up a camp.
“Revolutionaries and protesters participating in the sit in must stay and continue their camp until the demands are implemented,” he insisted.
A dissolution of Parliament can only be done by an absolute majority vote, according to the Iraqi constitution. It can be requested by one third of the deputies, or by the Prime Minister with the agreement of the President of the Republic.
After the resignation of Mr. Sadr’s deputies, his opponents in the Coordination Framework became the main Shiite bloc within the hemicycle.
The alliance includes the former paramilitaries of Hachd al-Chaabi and the party of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, historical enemy of Mr. Sadr. At the end of July, she presented the candidacy for the post of prime minister of Mohamed Chia al-Soudani, a 52-year-old former minister and former provincial governor.
“No-delay solutions”
“Serious dialogues that can give hope of resolving differences […] start with respect for constitutional institutions”, launched Wednesday evening in a laconic tweet Mr. Maliki, in allusion to the occupation of Parliament.
Because in an attempt to find a way out of the crisis, Prime Minister Moustafa al-Kazimi, who handles current affairs, had recently proposed a “national dialogue”.
The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) also called for a “meaningful dialogue” between all parties, saying it was “more urgent than ever”.
“Recent events have demonstrated the rapid risk of escalation in a tense political climate,” a statement said. “We call on all actors […] to agree on solutions without delay,” UNAMI added.
French President Emmanuel Macron also spoke with Iraqi leaders to tell them “of his concern about the situation in Iraq”, according to the Elysee.
He “said his availability to contribute to dialogue and consultation” between the different parties, seeing in it “the only way that can help find a way out of the crisis”.
“Don’t believe the rumors that I don’t want dialogue,” Sadr said in his speech on Wednesday.
“But we have already tried and experienced dialogue with them, but it has brought nothing to us and to the nation, even ruin and corruption […] despite their promises,” he blasted.
There is “no interest to be expected from such a dialogue”.