Blow to Sudani as key allies signal split ahead of elections

The Shia parties that make up the Coordination Framework announced on Monday that they will compete in the upcoming parliamentary elections as separate lists rather than as a unified alliance. The statement by the Framework noted that it convened a meeting at the office of Badr Organization’s Hadi Al-Amiri, during which the decision was taken. The move is not surprising and follows a similar position taken during the 2023 provincial council elections.

However, reports also circulated yesterday suggesting that Badr has withdrawn from Prime Minister Sudani’s yet-to-be-announced electoral coalition. Similar reports have emerged about Ahmed Al-Asadi, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs and the head of the Sanad Party, who had also initially joined Sudani’s coalition, which is believed to be called the “Construction and Development Coalition”. While no official announcements have confirmed these withdrawals, Asadi’s party swiftly denied the claim. Nonetheless, Iraq Horizons understands that Asadi is working to establish his own electoral list under the name “Sumeriyoon.”