Ahead of 2025 elections
Sadrist Movement and State of Law Coalition begin talks for potential alliance
BAGHDAD – Abdul Rahman Al-Jaza’iri, a senior official in the State of Law Coalition, announced that “preliminary talks” have begun between the Sadrist Movement, now known as the National Shia Current, and Nouri al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition. The discussions aim to form a strong alliance ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections.
Al-Jaza’iri told Hunna Baghdad’s channel that these negotiations could lead to a significant partnership, dismissing the notion that the leader of the Sadrist Movement, Muqtada Al-Sadr, would remain in opposition.
“Al-Sadr is the most popular and strongest figure and will not accept to be in the opposition in the future,” he said.
The Sadrist Movement was the largest vote-getter in the 2021 parliamentary elections, securing 73 seats, but withdrew from the political process after failing to form a governing coalition with Kurdish and Sunni forces. Al-Maliki’s State of Law Coalition came third in those elections with 33 seats.
Al-Jaza’iri also suggested that there would not be a comprehensive governing coalition like the current State Administration Coalition, which includes a large array of Shia, Kurdish, and Sunni parties. He also ruled out the possibility of any major Shia, Kurdish, or Sunni forces accepting the role of opposition in the future parliament.
“Today’s opposition project is ambiguous and not established on real foundations,” said Al-Jaza’iri. He questioned why the opposition does not confront the government with their projects.
With parliamentary elections scheduled for November 2025, the Iraqi political scene is becoming increasingly active. While the shape of future electoral alliances remains unclear, reports indicate that Al-Sadr and Al-Maliki have begun contacts to form an alliance. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani is considered a wild card in the upcoming elections, particularly if he decides to run on an independent ticket. Al-Maliki’s efforts to reach an understanding with Al-Sadr primarily stem from concerns that a strong showing by Al-Sudani would undermine the State of Law Coalition’s influence in Iraqi politics.
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