Iraq’s election winner, proIran leader talk
BAGHDAD: Iraqi cleric Moqtada alSadr, whose political bloc was declared the winner of Iraq’s parliamentary election, met Hadi alAmiri, leader of a proIran bloc, on Sunday in what Sadr portrayed as part of an inclusive discussion about government formation.
‘‘The process of government formation must be a national decision and importantly, must include the participation of all the winning blocs,’’ a statement from Sadr’s office said.
Winning the most seats does not guarantee Sadr will be able to handpick a prime minister. As no electoral list won an outright majority, negotiations to form a coalition government are expected to drag on for months. Amiri’s AlFatih bloc came second. Amiri heads an umbrella of paramilitary groups and has maintained close ties with Iran for decades.
Sadr, a longtime adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, cannot become prime minister because he did not run in the election. However, the victory of his Sairoon bloc gives him a strong say in negotiations.
Before the election, Teheran stated it would not allow Sadr’s bloc to govern close ally Iraq, with which it shares a border. Iran has influenced the choice for prime minister in the past.
The meeting with Amiri came less than 24 hours after the populist cleric met incumbent Prime Minister Haider alAbadi, hinting at a possible coalition.
Abadi’s electoral list trailed Amiri in third place, but he could still emerge as a compromise candidate. He is seen as palatable to all sides because he has managed the competing interests of the United States and Iran during his term in office.