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Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

Published

8 years ago

May 12, 2018

Iraq votes for Parliament in first elections after IS defeat

In an exercise to strengthen democratic set up in non-GCC Arab country without having much US influence and “growing Iranian influence”, Iraqi people have started polling their votes for the fourth parliament after removal of Saddam Hussein in 2003 on Saturday morning.

The landmark parliamentary elections in the country are being held for the first time after defeating Daesh (IS) terror group with the help of Iranian military advisors, intelligence sharing and weapons supplies along with Mobilization Forces raised after landmark fatwa of Ayatollah Siestani, comprising all sections of the country.

However, US led coalition also claim of fighting against Daesh (IS) which has never attracted appreciation by Iraqi government.

According to media reports a total of 6,990 candidates from 87 lists (parties) are contesting for 329 seats with nearly 2,011 female candidates who are guaranteed 25 percent, or 83, of the seats. Nine seats will be allocated to minorities.

There are 18 provinces in the country with different population ratio in different areas. Shia majority community dominates in the southern provinces, Sunnis are more in the central region while Kurds are in majority in several north-eastern provinces.

Political observers don’t expect a dramatic government shake-up in the country. However, this is expected to be considered as a referendum on Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s tenure and his pledge to be more inclusive during the next tenure, if elected.

On May 4, Iraq’s most revered religious leader Grand Ayatollah Siestani, through his representative Ayatollah Mehdi Karbalai in holy Karbala city, had urged voters not to re-elect “corrupt” Members of Parliament during the elections.

Ayatollah Karbalai, while addressing the Friday sermon, had suggested that voters should “avoid falling into the trap of those who want to fool you”, including- “those whom you have known”- a reference to outgoing MPs running in the polls.

The most important issues dominated throughout the campaign included corruption, security, poverty, the influence of Iran and the future of US forces currently in the country.

The main lists (parties) can be divided into Shia, Sunni and Kurdish coalitions, with Shia parties being the most prominent due to their greater number in the overall population which is considered to be over 70%. Two major Sunni coalitions and four Kurdish ones are contesting the elections.

The main Shia lists contesting the elections include: Nasr Coalition headed by current Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Dawat al-Qanoon, headed by current Vice President and former PM Nouri al-Maliki, Fatah Coalition, led by Hadi al-Amiri, Hikma Coalition headed by Ammar al-Hakim and al-Saidoon Coalition, also known as Sadrist movement, led by Muqtada al-Sadr, allied with Iraqi Communist Party.

Recently Saudi Arabia has also indicated interest in the internal Iraqi politics with an objective of curbing Iranian influence in Iraq. Muqtada al-Sadr, was the important visitor to Saudi Arabia holding meeting with most powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman in July last year.

However, during a summit with US President Donald Trump in May 2017, Saudi Arabia did not invite Shia Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. Instead Iraq’s Sunni president Fuad Masum participated in the meeting when more than 50 heads of Muslims states met Trump under Saudi auspices.

Observers believe that no single group is expected to win 165 seats required for forming next government. Instead the bloc winning the highest number of seats will have to bring together smaller groups.

Some analysts, probably influenced by Saudi Arabia led GCC, has been talking of the possibility of spending months before selection of new prime minister. Until the new prime minister is chosen, Haider al-Abadi, the current PM will continue to officiate.

Political power is traditionally divided along sectarian lines among the offices of prime minister, president and parliament speaker. Since the first elections following 2003 Saddam Hussein’s fall, Shia majority has held the position of prime minister, while the Kurds have held the presidency and Sunnis have held the post of parliament speaker.

Related Topics:Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)Iraq Mohammed bin Salman

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Trump rejects Iran’s 7-day peace plan, says deal can come after US polls

US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s seven-day proposal to end hostilities and indicated that a deal could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Published

4 hours ago

September 26, 2026

APNLive Desk

US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest proposal aimed at bringing an end to the ongoing conflict, while indicating that a possible agreement could come after the US midterm elections in November.

Iran had proposed a seven-day framework under which hostilities could be brought to an end, the Strait of Hormuz could be reopened and negotiations over its nuclear programme could resume.

Iran’s seven-day proposal

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran had put forward the proposal through intermediaries. Under the plan, the Strait of Hormuz would be reopened by the end of the seventh day if specified conditions were met, while broader nuclear discussions would restart.

The proposal was based largely on an earlier understanding reached between Washington and Tehran, but Iran sought to implement the latest framework much faster. The earlier arrangement had provided a longer period for negotiations.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway for global energy shipments, making its reopening a key element of any effort to ease the wider conflict.

Trump points to US midterm elections

Trump, speaking at the United Nations, showed no indication that he was ready to immediately resume negotiations on the terms proposed by Tehran.

He called for the economic isolation of Iran and said he believed a deal could be reached after the US midterm elections in November. Trump also said Iran was waiting to see how he performed in the midterm elections.

The remarks came as Iranian officials signalled that they remained open to diplomacy and described the UN General Assembly as an opportunity to revive negotiations.

Nuclear talks remain part of Iran proposal

Iran’s latest plan links the easing of hostilities with the resumption of negotiations over its nuclear programme.

The proposal follows the collapse of an earlier US-Iran arrangement. According to reporting on the latest proposal, the new framework is intended to compress the timeline for implementing commitments that had previously been discussed by the two sides.

For now, Trump’s remarks indicate that Washington is not accepting Tehran’s seven-day framework as presented, while Iran continues to put diplomacy and negotiations forward as part of its proposal.

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Iranian President Pezeshkian at UN says Iranians have been victims of US terrorism

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said at the UN General Assembly that Iranians had been victims of US terrorism and insisted that Iran had acted in self-defence.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the United States of subjecting Iranians to what he described as terrorism while addressing the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

Pezeshkian said Iran had defended itself against attacks and rejected the characterisation of the country as a terrorist actor. His remarks came during a rare wartime appearance at the UN as tensions between Iran and the United States remain high.

Pezeshkian accuses US and Israel of attacks

Speaking at the General Assembly, Pezeshkian said Iranian civilians had been targeted by attacks and described the actions against his country as aggression.

“We have only defended ourselves. We are not terrorists,” he said, according to the report.

Pezeshkian also accused the United States and Israel of attacking Iran, while maintaining that Tehran’s response was an act of self-defence.

The Iranian president displayed photographs of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolchildren who, according to his account, were killed during the early days of the conflict.

Iran’s message at the UN

Pezeshkian’s address came against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States and heightened tensions in the region.

Iranian officials had indicated ahead of the UN visit that they intended to highlight what Tehran considers attacks against its people and raise concerns over the international response to the conflict.

The Iranian delegation’s visit to New York also comes amid restrictions imposed by the United States on the delegation’s movement and other aspects of its stay, according to reporting ahead of the address.

Pezeshkian says Iran defended itself

Pezeshkian’s central message at the UN was that Iran’s military actions should be viewed as a response to attacks rather than terrorism.

His description of the conflict and the allegations against the United States and Israel represent the Iranian government’s position. They should therefore be attributed to Pezeshkian rather than presented as independently established facts.

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PM Modi’s Canada visit could help wrap trade talks, says Canada PM Mark Carney

Canadian PM Mark Carney said he is looking forward to hosting PM Narendra Modi, with both countries aiming to conclude their ongoing trade negotiations.

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2026

APNLive Desk

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has said he is looking forward to hosting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as India and Canada continue efforts to advance their bilateral relationship and conclude ongoing trade negotiations.

The two countries have been working towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), with both sides previously setting a target to conclude the negotiations in 2026.

Carney and Modi have held discussions on strengthening economic ties between India and Canada, including trade and investment. Their engagement has gained momentum following Carney’s visit to India earlier this year.

India-Canada trade talks

India and Canada formally resumed efforts towards a broader trade agreement after a period of strained bilateral ties. The two sides have committed to advancing negotiations on a CEPA covering their economic relationship.

In June, Carney and Modi reviewed progress in bilateral economic cooperation during their meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. They expressed satisfaction with the progress in CEPA negotiations and reaffirmed their shared objective of concluding the talks in 2026.

During Carney’s visit to India in March, the two leaders had also agreed to accelerate negotiations on the CEPA and work towards finalising the agreement during 2026.

Modi’s proposed Canada visit

Carney had invited PM Modi to visit Canada in 2026, and the two leaders agreed to remain engaged through diplomatic channels to work towards a mutually convenient date for the visit.

The proposed visit comes as New Delhi and Ottawa seek to build on renewed diplomatic and economic engagement, with trade negotiations remaining a key part of the relationship.

The focus on completing the trade talks comes as both countries look to expand commercial ties and establish a broader economic framework through the proposed CEPA.