Iraq: Agreement Between Muqtada al-Sadr and Haider al-Abadi to Form an Alliance

Muqtada al-Sadr, a Shia cleric, and Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, announced on Saturday, June 22, that they have reached an agreement regarding an alliance to form a government in the country. Following Mr. Abadi's trip from Baghdad to the city of Najaf to meet with Mr. Sadr, the two jointly issued a statement announcing their agreement for the coalition. The list supported by Muqtada al-Sadr, known as 'Sairoon', which also includes Iraqi communists, has secured 54 seats out of 329 in the Iraqi parliament. Although this group is not able to form a government alone, it ranks at the top of the organizations and parties that have entered the Iraqi parliament. Following 'Sairoon', the coalition of the 'Hashd al-Shaabi' forces, the Tehran-backed militias, ranks second, and Haider al-Abadi's coalition ranks third, having secured 42 seats. In the joint statement by Abadi and Sadr, it was stated that their coalition has 'gone beyond ethnic and sectarian issues' and has been formed to 'accelerate the process of forming a new government and to agree on principles that serve the aspirations and hopes of the nation.' Assessments indicate that reaching an agreement between this cleric and the Prime Minister of Iraq will help the movement supported by Muqtada al-Sadr to ultimately reach a broad coalition for forming a government. Previously, Mr. Sadr had reached an agreement with the second parliamentary faction led by Hadi al-Amiri, primarily composed of figures emerging from 'Hashd al-Shaabi', to form a coalition. In the joint statement by Abadi and Sadr, there was no direct reference to Hadi al-Amiri's movement, but it was stated that the new coalition is 'coordinated' with previous agreements. According to reports, both Hadi al-Amiri and Haider al-Abadi are currently striving to attain the position of Prime Minister. It is expected that negotiations and agreements regarding this position may take weeks or even months. Muqtada al-Sadr did not personally participate in the elections and is neither a parliamentary representative nor a member of the government.