On November 12 a spokesman for the State of Law list once against brought up early elections in Iraq. This is part of a plan by Nouri al-Maliki to unseat Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani and return as the leader of the country.
As early as March there were reports that members of the ruling Coordination Framework were worried about PM Sudani’s growing power and wanted to replace him. There were worries that the prime minister would break from the Framework and form his own alliance to stay gain a second term.
Then in July Maliki began calling for early elections. He wanted to have voting before Sudani was able to amass any more power and gain in popularity.
At the same time stories began appearing in the media and social media attacking Sudani for corruption within his administration. Dawa and State of Law have a large electronic army of operatives that post in both Arabic and English to carry out its agenda.
Sudani was also hit with a spy scandal in September. Several officials within his office were arrested for eavesdropping on officials and politicians including Maliki. He in turn tried to use that to force Sudani to resign. He refused and instead will likely reshuffle his cabinet to allow his opponents more positions.
Maliki’s moves were opposed by others within the Framework such as Ammar al-Hakim, Haider Abadi, and Hadi Amiri’s Fatah. They are happy with Sudani’s rule. More importantly that do not want Maliki back in power. The last time he was prime minister he tried to be an autocrat and used the security forces to go after his enemies.
SOURCES
Al Aalem, “Al-Maliki, Sudani, and the Framework … another step towards division,” 7/3/24
Asharq Al-Awsat, “Maliki Pressuring Iraq PM to Resign Following Confessions in Wire-tapping Scandal,” 9/9/24
Bas News, “Iraq’s State of Law Coalition Sets Conditions for Early Elections,” 11/12/24
- “Plot in Works to Overthrow Sudani: Report,” 3/11/24
Iraq Oil Report, “Analysis: Sudani agenda faces rising political risks as elections approach,” 7/8/24
Al Mada, “Campaigns led by parties in the Coordination Framework seek to weaken the Prime Minister,” 9/3/24
- “The Framework narrows the leadership … new alliances for Al-Sudani and Al-Maliki in preparation for the 2025 elections,” 8/22/24
- “Al-Maliki incites the Sadrists to hold early elections to remove Sudani,” 3/25/24
- “Sources and experts: The confrontation is coming .. Al-Sudani is under siege, and Al-Maliki’s plan is 50 districts .. The elections have come, you who left the Framework,” 3/14/24
- “Understandings between Al-Maliki and Al-Amiri awaiting Al-Sadr and the password is early elections,” 7/10/24
Mustafa, Hamza, “Coalition Headed by Sudani Begins to Takes Shape ahead of Iraq Parliamentary Elections,” Asharq Al-Awsat, 3/23/24
Al Rafidain, “Arming the Peshmerga sparks widespread controversy in Iraq,” 9/20/24
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