New Provincial Govts In Iraq After Dec Election

 

Most of the new provincial governments in Iraq were decided in February. The Coordination Framework took most of the governors as expected because their main rival Muqtada al-Sadr boycotted. The list did not have its way however.

 

The Coordination Framework won the governorships in 7 provinces. Those were Babil, Baghdad Dhi Qar, Karbala, Maysan, Muthanna and Najaf. Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Sadqoon got Babil. Nuri al-Maliki’s State of Law took Baghdad and Karbala, Ammar Hakim’s Hikma was elected in Dhi Qar and Najaf, Badr won Maysan, while Fadhila took Muthanna. In most of those provinces the Framework only competed against local parties that lacked its resources. Without Sadr’s participation there was no real opposition. This will allow the Framework to solidify its hold over the Iraqi state as it already runs most of the federal government.

 

The only other major list to be victorious was ex-Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbusi’s Taqadum in Anbar.

 

In Basra, Ninewa, Salahaddin and Wasit provincial parties won and several governors were re-elected. Basra was a major setback for the Framework that wanted to control the governorate’s oil and natural gas. In Wasit a pro-Sadr governor also held onto office. In Salahaddin the Framework complained that it was shut out of some of the leading positions it wanted. Then President Abdul Latif Rashid dismissed the election of Ahmed al-Jabouri due to his involvement in several corruption scandals. The provincial council is disputing the president’s decision.

 

Diyala and Kirkuk remain undecided due to intense disagreements between the winning parties. Diyala has been controlled by Badr since 2014 but it has a dispute with Asaib Ahl Al-Haq for control while in Kirkuk the Arab and Turkmen parties refuse to support any Kurdish candidate.

 

Major Lists That Won Governorships

Coordination Framework – Babil, Baghdad, Dhi Qar, Karbala, Maysan, Muthanna, Najaf (7)

Taqadum – Anbar (1)

 

Anbar - Taqadum

Governor Mohammed Nouri al-Karbouli - Taqadum

 

Babil – Coordination Framework

Governor Adnan al-Faihan – Sadiqoon/Coordination Framework

 

Baghdad – Coordination Framework

Governor Abdul Mutalib al-Allawi – State of Law/Coordination Framework

 

Basra - Local

Governor Assad al-Ediani

 

Dhi Qar – Coordination Framework

Governor Murtadha al-Ibrahimi – Hikma/Coordination Framework

 

Karbala – Coordination Framework

Governor Nassif Jassim al-Khattabi – State of Law/Coordination Framework

 

Maysan – Coordination Framework

Governor Habib al-Fartusi – Badr/Coordination Framework

 

Muthanna – Coordination Framework

Governor N/A – Fadhila/Coordination Framework

 

Najaf – Coordination Framework

Governor Youssef Kannawi – Hikma/Coordination Framework

 

Ninewa - Local

Governor Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil – Ninewa United Bloc

 

Salahaddin - Local

Governor Ahmed al-Jabouri aka Au Mazn – Jamahir Party

Cancelled by President Rashid

 

Wasit - Local

Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi

 

SOURCES

 

Al Aalem, “3 governorates shock the Coordination Framework and reveal the extent of the differences within it,” 2/5/24

- “Splits and threats after the Taqadum Party took over the local government of Anbar … and chances are that it will not continue,” 2/7/24

 

Buratha News, “Basra Provincial Council renews Al-Eidani’s mandate,” 2/5/24

 

Chalak, Chenar, “Ahmed al-Jubouri appointed new Salahaddin governor,” Rudaw, 2/4/24

 

Iraq News Network, “Wasit Council renews the retention of the current governor in the position,” 2/5/24

 

Al Mada, “The presidency officially rejects the appointment of Abu Mazn as governor of Salahaddin,” 2/17/24

- “Repercussions of the collapse of the Framework agreement: blocking streets in Diyala and threats of marches in Wasit,” 2/18/24

- “The Sadrist movement refuses to be involved in choosing governors … and a member of the Framework: The elections determined the winning parties,” 12/30/23x

- “Secret agreements and accusations of treachery accompanied the decision of 11 local governments,” 2/7/24

 

NINA, “Abd al-Muttalib al-Alawi was elected as Governor of Baghdad,” 2/5/24

- “Dhi Qar Governorate Council elects Murtadha Al-Ibrahimi as Governor,” 2/6/24

- “The election of Abdul Qadir al-Dakhil as Governor of Nineveh,” 2/5/24

- “Election of Muhamad Nouri al-Karbouli as Governor of Anbar,” 2/5/24

- “The head of Sadiqoun parliamentary bloc, Adnan Al-Faihan, elected as governor of Babylon,” 2/6/24

- “The Najaf Council chooses Youssef Kannawi as governor,” 2/5/24

 

Al Rafidain, “After An Intense Struggle Over Positions, The Coordination Framework Dominates The Positions In Maysan Governorate,” 2/10/24

- “The Coordination Framework Complains About The “Treachery Of The Allies” After The Formation Of The Salahaddin Governorate Council,” 2/5/24

- “A Dispute Between The Salahaddin Governorate Council And The Presidency Of The Republic Regarding The Selection Of Ahmed Al-Jabouri For The Position Of Governor,” 2/20/24

- “Al-Sadr Warns The Parties And Militias Of The Coordination Framework Against Seizing Najaf and Maysan Governorates,” 12/23/23