| 2021–2022 Iraqi political crisis | |
|---|---|
| Part of theIraq Conflict | |
 The Baghdad Convention Center, home of the Iraqi Parliament | |
| Date |
|
| Location | |
| Caused by |
|
| Resulted in | New president elected 13 October 2022; new government approved 27 October 2022.[1][2] |
| Lead figures | |
| Casualties | |
| Death | 53 killed[3] |
| Injuries | 1,080 injured[4] |
Between theparliamentary election in October 2021 and October 2022, there was a political crisis inIraq, with members of theCouncil of Representatives of Iraq being unable to form a stable coalition government, or elect a newPresident.[5] Basic government services such as the civil service and military continued functioning, but thenational political system was in deadlock including in respect of almost all major spending and taxation issues.[6] On 27 October 2022, the government of Prime MinisterMohammed Shia' Al Sudani was approved by the Council of Representatives.[1][2]
Violent clashes in Baghdad following the election and theattempted assassination of Prime MinisterMustafa Al-Kadhimi began the crisis.[7] On 18 NovemberMuqtada al-Sadr said he would like to form amajority government.[8]
On 9 January, the newly elected parliament met for the first time in theGreen Zone to elect the parliament speaker and two deputies. This first parliamentary session resulted in senior interim parliament speakerMahmoud al-Mashahadani falling ill and being taken to hospital.[9]Sunni lawmaker and current parliament speakerMohamed al-Halbousi was re-elected for a second term,[10] with deputiesShakhawan Abdulla from theKurdistan Democratic Party andHakim al-Zamili from theSadrist Movement.[11] Thus, theKurdistan Democratic Party,Sadrist Movement andProgress Party succeeded in filling those three positions due to the candidates of each bloc voting for each other.[11] These nominations were not recognized as legitimate by the Shiite Pro-Iran factions in parliament, known as theCoordination Framework bloc, who claimed the session could not continue without the presence of the illal-Mashahadani.[12] Parliament was then temporarily suspended but later was able to resume again after a review by theIraqi Supreme Court.[13]
According to theConstitution of Iraq a president must be selected within 30 days after the election of the parliament speaker.[14] IncumbentBarham Salih was put forward by thePatriotic Union of Kurdistan to run for a second term, while theKurdistan Democratic Party selected former foreign ministerHoshyar Zebari to run for the post as the party's second putting forward of a president to the required parliamentary vote.[14]
On 13 June 2022, all 73 MPs from al-Sadr's bloc resigned from parliament.[15][16] On 23 June, theCouncil of Representatives swore in 73 new members in their place.[17] As a result, theCoordination Framework bloc, an alliance ofIran-backed parties led byNouri al-Maliki, grew to 130 seats.[18]
On 17 July, secret recordings were leaked ofNouri al-Maliki, the former Prime Minister, in which he was criticising al-Sadr. This was reported to have been controversial and a factor in deepening the crisis.[19]
On 25 July, the framework nominated former minister and governor ofMaysan GovernorateMohammed Shia' Al Sudani as prime minister.[20]
On 27 July, angry about the influence of Iran in Iraqi domestic governance, followers of al-Sadrbreached the Green Zone and theIraqi Parliament in Baghdad. After a public message by al-Sadr to "pray and go home," the crowd dispersed.[21] Thousands of supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr had beencamping in the parliament building since July 27.[22]
On 3 August,Muqtada al-Sadr called forsnap elections.[23]
On 29 August, Sadr announced via a tweet his retirement from political life. Later that day, his supportersstormed the presidential palace and armed clashes inside the Green Zone ensued, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 protesters.[24] The Iraqi Army announced a nationwidecurfew. Protests and clashes also erupted inBasra andMaysan Governorate in southern Iraq.[24]
On 30 August, fighting spread toKarbala and escalated in Basra as demonstrators stormed the Iraqi parliamentary office in Karbala[25] and blocked the entrance toUmm Qasr port.[26]
On approximately 5 September the second round of negotiations ended, leaving further talks required to agree on any selection for the key ratificatory and head of state role of president and to agree a working coalition, key-issues confidence and supply arrangement between the parties or to the fresh elections the Prime Minister continues to seek.[27]
After more talks between the political parties, on 13 October, the Iraqi Parliament gathered once again and electedAbdul Latif Rashid as the country's new president. He won after winning 230 votes in the parliament beating incumbentBarham Salih. This election marked the beginning of the end of the deadlock as Rashid then taskedMohammed Shia' Al Sudani with forming the government to become prime minister.[28] Although offered by various figures, Sadr said he would not partake in this new government led by al-Sudani.[29]
On 27 October 2022, the government of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani, from theCoordination Framework, was approved by the Council of Representatives.[1][2] In his acceptance speech ahead of the final vote, Al Sudani stated that "corruption" had caused "many economic problems, (…) increasing poverty, unemployment, and poor public services".[1]
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