Efforts are ongoing in Iraq to form the largest bloc in parliament that would be able to form a new government in wake of last month’s elections that saw the surprise victory of Sadrist Movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr.
Sadr’s Sairoun alliance in recent days announced an alliance with the pro-Iran Fateh coalition of Hadi al-Amiri.
Head of the Hikma movement Ammar al-Hakim surprisingly announced on Saturday that he would not join the Shiite Sadr-Amiri partnership, opting instead for forming a “technocrat” ministerial bloc.
The “national majority” is the most acceptable and realistic solution to the current political problems in Iraq, he added.
“It would be wrong to return to the old equation and expect to get better results. Sectarian alliances cannot form a national government that meets the aspirations of our people,” he stressed.
Leading member of the Hikma movement Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that Hakim’s reference of a “national majority” means that he is seeking the formation of large alliance that would include various Iraqi factions, including Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds.”
He also spoke about the formation an opposition front, which would ensure that all Iraqi components are represented in rule.
Commenting on recent political alliances, he said that Sadr and Amiri did not form an alliance, but they simply struck an agreement.
On the possibility that Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi’s Nasr (Victory) alliance may forge an alliance with State of Law coalition chief former PM Nouri al-Maliki, and later align with the Sairoun, Fateh and Hikma movements, he replied: “There are five main Shiite currents, but that does not necessarily mean that they may all combine their efforts to form the largest parliamentary bloc.”
“It is enough for three of them to meet and form a government, while the rest will become part of the opposition,” explained Mayahi.
Hikma is expected to join the Sairoun and Fateh alliance, while Abadi and Maliki are predicted to form an opposition front in parliament.
A source close to the Islamic Dawa party, however, ruled out the possibility that Abadi and Maliki may reach an agreement.
Maliki would prefer to join the Sairoun-Fateh alliance, he told Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity.
