Secular forces split between three main electoral alliances

Iraq’s secular and civil parties are preparing for the November parliamentary election in fragmented blocs that reflect both the legacy of the Tishreen protest movement and the shifting alliances of mainstream politics.

In the 2023 provincial council elections, several protest-linked groups attempted to consolidate under the Civil Values Alliance (Tahaluf al-Qiyam al-Madani), which brought together the Iraqi Communist Party, Nazil Akhith Haqqi, and al-Bayt al-Watani, under the leadership of Ali Al-Rufayi and independent MP Sajad Salim. That coalition managed to win six seats across three provinces, a modest showing but one that highlighted the continuing appeal of Tishreen-aligned groups and the utility of coalition-building.