The Iraqi government formation crisis after the 2021 elections and its future prospects

Abstract

The process of forming the Iraqi government has witnessed recurrent political crises among parties since 2006, particularly in the election of the prime minister and the formation of the ministerial cabinet. Following the October 2019 protests, which called for early elections, these elections were held on October 10, 2021, and their results were ratified by the Federal Supreme Court. However, the political crisis escalated due to the failure of the blocs to form a government, leading to a political deadlock and a division between demands for a majority government and those favoring a consensus government. The crisis was further exacerbated by the resignation of the 73 deputies of the Sadrist bloc, at the direction of their leader Muqtada al-Sadr. In accordance with the 2020 election law, they were replaced by their runners-up in the electoral districts. After a crisis that nearly plunged the country into civil strife, the government of Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, the nominee of the Coordination Framework, was formed. Al-Sudani presented an ambitious program despite internal and external challenges. Al-Sudani is characterized by his capacity for pragmatic and rational engagement with crises, drawing on his accumulated experience. This has provided him with clear foundations and strategies to confront challenges and achieve internal stability and external engagement.