Iraq sinks deeper into political crisis

The party of firebrand cleric Moqtada al-Sadr has quit the government, raising fears of conflict if his Iran-backed rivals form an administration to replace outgoing Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi


Seats in Council of Representatives 	Sadrist Bloc: 73 Shi’a Muslim

Progress Party: 37
Sunni – Sadrist allies

State of Law Coalition: 33 
Shi’a – Sadrist rivals

Huqooq Movement: 20
Shi’a – Sadrist rivals

Kurdish Democratic Party: 31 – Sadrist allies

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan: 17 – Sadrist allies

Fatah Alliance: 17 
Shi’a – Sadrist rivals

Azem Alliance: 12
Sunni – Sadrist allies

New Generation Movement: 9 – Kurdish

Emtedad Movement: 9 – Anti-corruption party

Independents: 43 

Others: 28

329 seats*
Coalitions need 165 seats to form government


Jun 2022: Moqtada al-Sadr’s 73 lawmakers submit their resignations in protest at eight months of political deadlock since election in October 2021

Sadrist bloc 73 seats: To be allocated to second place finishers in election

Power-sharing: Under “muhasasa” system, President is Kurdish, Prime Minister is Shia and Parliamentary Speaker is Sunni

Deadlock: Sadrists have tried to form coalition majority with Kurds and Sunnis

Shia rift: Some Sadrist rivals are willing to join coalition, but al-Sadr rejects inclusion of State of Law party


*Nine seats are allocated to minorities: five seats to Christians, one seat each to Feyli Kurds, Ezidis, Shabaks, and Mandaeans


Sources: Associated Press, Al Bawaba, Al Monitor 
Picture: Getty Images 
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