Sadrist movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr gives a speech on August 27, 2021 (NRT Diigtal Media/Screenshot)
PM:04:24:27/08/2021
3988 View
+
-
SULAIMANI — Iraq's populist Shia Muslim cleric Moqtada Sadr
on Friday (August 27) reversed his decision to boycott October elections and
said his movement would take part in order to help "end corruption".
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 Shia
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-Kadhimi, 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.
(NRT Digital Media/AFP)
This story was updated at 6:43 p.m. EBL