Iraq elections: protesters allege corruption, promise to boycott polls

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Simona Foltyn:

Two years later, the protest movement is still struggling to unite, and even the organization of a small protest like this sparked disagreements over what the goals and messages should be, highlighting deep divisions. within the protest movement. And this lack of unity is one of the reasons the protesters failed to translate the momentum from the streets into political capital.

One hundred and sixty-seven parties and 3,200 candidates have registered to run for the 329 seats in the Iraqi parliament. The level of competition reflects both the fractured political landscape and the intense competition for access to state resources. But despite broad popular support for the protests, only three parties and 80 candidates represent the movement, in part because many protesters refuse to take part in a political system they see as unreformable.

One of the movement’s most promising candidates is Dr Alaa Al Rikabi, a pharmacist-turned-politician who was a key organizer in the southern Iraqi town of Nassriyah, one of the uprising strongholds.

Rikaby’s campaign relies on his own funds, small donations and volunteers like the owner of this workshop, who help him make campaign posters.

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