Reportage
Can Iraq be governed without the influential Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr?
Audio 01:21
A poster of Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr in Baghdad, June 21, 2021. REUTERS - AHMED SAAD
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
Iraq is going through a serious political crisis.
Eight months after the legislative elections, the country still has no government.
Faced with the political deadlock, the big winner of the election, Moqtada al-Sadr, announced last week the resignation of his 73 deputies in Parliament, claiming to leave the current political process.
Can Iraq be governed without this influential Shiite cleric?
Meeting with his partisan base.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Baghdad,
Lucile Wassermann
On weekends, during the midday prayer, the streets are crowded in the district of Sadr City, the stronghold of Moqtada al-Sadr.
Hundreds of residents cover the hot asphalt with their prayer mats and kneel before the imam.
But today, it is the political situation that occupies the minds.
A sadrist in his fifties challenges his neighbour: “
No, God willing, there will be no withdrawal of Moqtada al-Sadr!
He knows very well what he is doing!
He knows when to leave, he will know when to come back!
Even within his partisan base, the cleric's strategy remains confused, but here everyone supports his decision: "
Sometimes we don't understand, we don't know why he makes these choices, but we find out afterwards, and in general it is always in our interest!
»
► To read also: Iraq: grouped resignation of elected Sadrists, largest bloc in Parliament
Moqtada al-Sadr keeps all his influence, in the street but also in the spheres of power.
Despite his decision, Iraq cannot do without him, says Alaa, 34: “
There can be no government without the Sadrists, it's impossible.
Even if the other parties form one, it will fall.
»
Today all scenarios are possible in Iraq, including the calling of new elections.
► To read also:
Resignation of elected Sadrists: "Iraq is in an unprecedented situation"
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_FR
Iraq