Iraqi cleric Sadr says he won't take part in the October election

 

In a recent announcement, the Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr mentioned that he has withdrawn his candidature from participating in the elections in October. He also expressed his interest in backing off from offering his support from the government, distancing himself from the state at a time when deadly hospital fires have angered Iraqis.

 

This announcement has become a piece of major news as Sadr is one of the key influential figures in Iraq. He emerged as the popular figure in the 2018 parliamentary election, with 54 seats in the 329 seat legislature, and his movement has big sway. It was difficult for many leaders to digest this news as it was unexpected and for a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, typically wields power without holding elected office.

 

Though he has declared to not run in the October elections the followers who are loyal to him, stand close to him, allowing him to retain his influence with time. More than 20 people were killed at the hospital this week and many angry Iraqi citizens blame the government for the negligence. An official from the Iraqi ministry says that the propaganda against American occupation is gone after the Sadrist movement had a taste of power. It has benefited from the quota system through the appointment of cabinet members in various positions.

 

Sadr asserted by saying that he will not participate in these elections as the security of the nation is more important than all of that. He is willingly withdrawing his hand from those who belong to this current government and the following one. He also pointed out that on a loop he was targeted satanic regional scheme to humiliate the country and to bring it to its knees. People believe that the Sadrist movement has become a moderate tendency despite all that happened during the past few years.