What’s behind Sadrists’ return to Iraq’s Shiite National Alliance?
After boycotting the alliance for months, the Sadrist movement says it has returned, conditionally, to prepare a united front for the upcoming elections.
BAGHDAD — The Sadrist movement has rejoined the Iraqi National Alliance, but with a list of 14 conditions it expects to be met eventually. The movement had been boycotting the alliance since April, after Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr hurled accusations that the alliance was shielding corrupt figures.
The alliance, which is mainly composed of Shiite Islamist parties, includes the State of Law, the Islamic Supreme Council, the National Reform movement and a few small groups.
Most of Sadr's conditions have not been met, as allegedly corrupt figures have yet to be held accountable and brought to justice. He also is seeking to abolish the practice of the alliance nominating government ministers, and wants to refer the alliance’s current and former ministers to the judiciary and the Integrity Committee. He also wants the electoral commission to be abolished or amended.
It appears that the Sadrist movement is overlooking the unachieved conditions for now, since the 2017 municipal elections are approaching and the liberation of Mosul is expected by the end of the year. These situations require new political alliances to be forged, and Shiites realize they need to stay united to continue leading the country.
