Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
France 24
France 24
World
Marc DAOU

Who are the Shiite politicians vying to rule Iraq amid its political impasse?

Supporters of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr carry portraits of him as they gather in the city of Nasiriyah in Iraq's southern Dhi Qar province on August 12, 2022 to protest the nomination of a rival Shiite faction’s candidate for the position of prime minister. © Asaad Niazi, AFP

Majority-Shiite Iraq has been paralysed by political gridlock for nearly a year. Tensions are mounting between two powerful Shiite factions: one loyal to nationalist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, on the one hand, and an alliance of pro-Iran interests led by former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the other. FRANCE 24 looks at the various players jostling for power.

Unable to agree on forming a new government and appointing a new prime minister, two very different manifestations of political Shiism have been locked in a bitter impasse ever since Iraq’s parliamentary elections in October 2021. 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.