- Major political force, the Patriotic Shiite Movement, withdraws from the race.
- Electoral law changes weaken independents and civil society voices.
- Budget constraints and public disillusionment threaten electoral legitimacy.
Iraq’s 2025 parliamentary elections are shaping up to be among the most challenging in recent history. With the withdrawal of Muqtada al-Sadr’s Patriotic Shiite Movement, which secured the most seats in 2021, a political vacuum has emerged.
Meanwhile, a return to a closed-list voting system is drawing sharp criticism for rolling back post-2019 protest reforms. Independents, women, and youth candidates face uphill battles under rules seen as favoring political elites.
Systemic Strains and Shrinking Trust: Iraq’s Democratic Crossroads in 2025
The decision to boycott the elections by Iraq’s largest popular movement has cast a long shadow over the electoral process. The Patriotic Shiite Movement, under Muqtada al-Sadr, cited systemic corruption and betrayal of protest-era aspirations as reasons for its withdrawal. Their absence not only weakens opposition but also disillusions a public once hopeful for grassroots-driven change.
Legal changes have added fuel to the fire. Iraq’s reversion to a closed-list voting method has sparked outrage among reformists and legal experts, who say it undermines transparency and locks out newcomers. This shift contrasts sharply with the 2021 reforms that allowed more independent candidates to gain parliamentary representation.
Adding to the turmoil is the public’s deepening frustration. Issues like youth unemployment, corruption, and failing services have become entrenched grievances. The electorate increasingly sees elections as disconnected from real change, with growing numbers vowing not to vote at all.
Economically, Iraq is facing sharp financial headwinds. Falling oil prices and incomplete revenue transfers from the Kurdistan Region are straining the national budget. Election planning has already suffered, with the Electoral Commission operating under a significant budget shortfall that could threaten logistics and security.
As Iraq moves closer to its 2025 elections, the convergence of political boycotts, legal setbacks, economic pressure, and public disillusionment raises a pivotal question: can a fractured system still deliver a credible democratic process?
“Let it be known to all: as long as corruption persists, I will not take part in any crippled electoral process that serves only sectarian and partisan interests.”
— Muqtada al-Sadr
