Iraqi MP Sajad Salem criticizes political system, calls for reforms and integration of armed factions

BAGHDAD — Iraqi MP Sajad Salem has offered sharp criticism of Iraq’s political system, highlighting parliamentary dysfunction, external influence, and the dominance of political Islam.

“This entire parliamentary term has been controlled by the mindset of political Islam,” Salem said, accusing lawmakers of prioritizing issues such as “child marriage, and banning alcohol” over citizens’ needs, in reference to the proposed amendments to Iraq’s Personal Statues Law, which critics argue that these changes could weaken legal protections for women and potentially lower the minimum marriage age for Muslim girls below the current age limit of 18.

Addressing the role of armed factions, Salem emphasized their diminishing relevance, saying, “The armed factions in Iraq have come to an end and will soon be buried.” He called for integrating the Popular Mobilization Forces into state institutions. Salem also warned of rising public dissatisfaction, urging political parties to recognize the signals of an “ailing political system” and pursue meaningful reforms.

Iraq faces growing debates over the future of militia groups and their weapons. Reports indicate that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a visit to Baghdad, urged the Iraqi government to disband armed factions, place their weapons under state authority, and curb Iranian influence.

Excerpts from Sajad Salem’s interview with Dijlah TV:

The Prime Minister is personally close to me. I have known him personally since he was a member of parliament. He is outside the framework of political Islam and publicly announced his departure from his previous affiliation in 2019.

If the issue of the Prime Minister’s second term depended on my vote, I would certainly vote for him to secure it.

After a large number of independent MPs won in the last elections, the Coordination Framework claimed that the elections were rigged. Then they assumed power following the withdrawal of the Sadrist Movement after the Green Zone events, took control of parliament, and the legislature began losing its vitality. Despite the good performance of some MPs, the parliament as an institution has not fulfilled its expected roles.

Four or five individuals outside the parliament dominate its will. This is a major problem because the priorities of political blocs do not align with the priorities of ordinary citizens. The parliament has left many laws related to citizens’ interests unaddressed and instead focused on a child marriage law.

This entire parliamentary term has been controlled by the mindset of political Islam, which thinks of nothing but child marriage, fighting prostitution, and banning alcohol. The Shiite political mindset is outdated and unfit to lead the country.

With the escalation of military events in Syria, a single dominant narrative emerged in Iraq—the pro-Iranian narrative. However, once clarity was achieved, the Iraqi government acted wisely and later behaved with state logic.

The current Syrian administration managed affairs relatively well, and its rhetoric was reassuring to Iraq. As for those who claim that Al-Jolani committed crimes in Iraq, there are also factions in Syria calling for a boycott of Iraq because Iraqi factions fought them in previous periods. We must look at matters based on state interests, not as a tribe seeking revenge.

The armed factions in Iraq have come to an end and will soon be buried. Neither the global, regional, nor internal public situations are favorable for their continued existence. Their role is now over.

I am ready to sit with Ahmed Al-Shar’a or Abu Muhammad Al-Jolani, but only to discuss Iraq’s interests and to ensure minority rights. The oppression of any minority in the region negatively impacts Iraq internally. Iraq must align itself with the regional human rights system.

Some Iraqi armed factions participated in killing us during the Tishreen protests. I am not willing to shake hands with them or their figures. I recently refused to shake hands with one of their leaders because he was involved in the bloodshed of Tishreen protesters. However, there are other armed groups with which dialogue is possible, despite their connection to Iranian influence.

I do not support political change from the outside, but rather gradual political change from within the system. I still hold my previous position that I will remain on the sidelines and will not defend this political system if it faces external intervention.

If a law is proposed to integrate the Popular Mobilization Forces into state institutions, I will be the first to vote for it. The state does not need this institution, and a solution must be found for its fighters to spare them from any external threats, for which they are not to blame.

There is no specific scenario for change in Iraq, but there is a public and political sense that the current political system is dying. Political parties must recognize these signals, implement fundamental reforms in the system, and distance Iraqi sovereign decisions from Iranian influence.