Six months of political blockade are enough to demonstrate the inability of Iraqi parties to form a government. This institutional paralysis encourages civic movement activists to continue their political activity through various initiatives on the ground, in particular seminars, cultural and political events in various cities of the country, especially in Baghdad and in the southern centers of Basra and Dhi Qar. The intent is to establish new types of political organizations that are structured but different from traditional parties, and with the prospect of being able to stand as candidates in the next elections.
The activist and poet Faris Harram, who participated in many of these initiatives, explained to me that “the debates focused on two main themes: starting to form new parties around the prominent personalities who led the demonstrations in October 2019, or start a new protest movement to allow new political leaders to emerge? “. Harram supports the second option. Encouraged by the active role of nearly 40 new independent MPs, many of them from the protests of October 2019, some leaders of the civic movement do not hide their intention to create new political blocs and formations.
For his part, Ahmed Falah, a member of the Tumuh (ambition) party, affirms that “the traditional parties that today wear out each other in the attempt to form a government and for the sharing of positions and privileges, will face an inevitable decline as as the civic movement in Iraq gains strength ”.
In an interview with Al Araby al Jadeed, Falah points out that “the entry of more civil society and independents into parliament will further dilute the weight of traditional forces, and gradually loosen their grip on the assembly and the government”. The activist adds that “among party members there is an absolute belief in the need to participate in political debate, and this does not mean neglecting the reasons for the protests, which represent the main lever available to civil society to influence parties. in power “.
Taking both possibilities into consideration, it would appear that Iraq is headed for new elections. Both sides have begun to talk about this hypothesis as the only viable option if the two blocs fail to reach a compromise.
(Translation by Francesco De Lellis)