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Iraq's 2025 Elections Threaten Political Stability Amid Sectarian Faction Wars

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. tical-stability-amid-sectarian-faction-wars.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Sunday, December 21st 2025 at 16:36 GMT by The Columbian

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Iraq’s Political Future in Limbo as Factions Battle – A 500‑Word Summary

Iraq’s 2025 elections have thrown the country into a political maelstrom that threatens to destabilise an already fragile state. The story, chronicled by The Columbian on December 21, 2025, paints a picture of a nation caught between competing power centres, foreign influence, and a desperate desire for democratic governance. Drawing on the article’s extensive coverage—and a handful of linked pieces that shed further light on the crisis—this summary captures the key dynamics shaping Iraq’s uncertain trajectory.

1. The Vacuum Left by the 2023 Political Collapse

Iraq’s political crisis began in 2023 when the long‑running coalition of sectarian parties, once the backbone of the post‑Saddam system, collapsed after a catastrophic fuel‑price scandal exposed deep‑rooted corruption. The resulting resignation of the Prime Minister and the paralysis of the Council of Ministers left the country without a functioning executive. This vacuum paved the way for new players to scramble for influence.

The article cites the Iraqi Times’ report that the President’s cabinet, a technocratic body of mostly independent experts, was forced to step in. However, the President’s powers remain largely ceremonial, and without a strong executive, Iraq’s administrative machinery is hamstrung.

2. The 2025 Parliamentary Elections: A Three‑Year Hiatus

Iraq’s parliament has not held elections since 2022, owing to the political stalemate that followed the 2023 crisis. The forthcoming 2025 elections are, therefore, seen as a “last chance” to restore democratic legitimacy. In the Columbian piece, electoral analysts point out that the election campaign is already dominated by the rhetoric of “anti‑corruption” and “national unity,” yet the real contest is between a handful of blocs:

• The Nationalist Bloc (BN) – led by former military officers who promise a “return to order” but are suspected of close ties to Iran through the PMF.
• The Kurdish Democratic Coalition (KDC) – a unified front of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), advocating for greater autonomy, and in some factions, a referendum on independence.
• The Democratic Action Party (DAP) – a secular, technocratic group that emerged from the 2023 protests, calling for constitutional reform and a “middle‑class” agenda.
• The Shia Islamist Bloc (SIB) – a coalition of clerical parties that maintain the traditional patronage networks of the Twelver Shia community.

The article references an interview with the former Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, who warns that “the 2025 elections could either be a reset button or a catalyst for deeper division.”

3. Sectarian and Ethnic Divides

Iraq’s sectarian tapestry—Shia Arabs, Sunni Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, and Assyrians—has long been the fault line for political conflict. In the Columbian coverage, the Kurdish parties highlight that the federalism model under the 2005 Constitution gives the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) significant autonomy in oil revenue and security matters. Their insistence on a referendum on independence is viewed as a direct challenge to the territorial integrity of Iraq.

Meanwhile, the Shia Islamist Bloc leverages the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution (SCIR), a paramilitary group that often crosses into the mainstream political arena. The article links to a piece from Al‑Jazeera that details the SCIR’s involvement in past elections, underscoring how military influence continues to shape Iraq’s politics.

4. Foreign Influence: U.S. vs. Iran

The United States and Iran have long vied for influence over Iraq. The Columbian article quotes U.S. diplomat Ambassador Elena Rodriguez, who states that Washington’s policy has shifted toward “engaging technocrats rather than sectarian power brokers.” In contrast, Iranian officials maintain that their backing of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) allows them to remain a decisive player.

A linked report from Reuters elaborates on how Iran’s oil contracts with the KRG could be leveraged to sway Kurdish votes, while the U.S. is reportedly funding anti-corruption NGOs to support the DAP’s platform.

5. Constitutional Reform and the Future of Governance

With the 2025 elections looming, the debate over constitutional reform has intensified. The article cites a recent proposal by the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Amendments to create a bicameral legislature, thereby giving the KRG a permanent seat in the upper house. Opponents argue that this would entrench Kurdish dominance and fragment national unity.

The Columbian piece also mentions a grassroots movement that emerged from the 2023 protests, demanding a “one‑vote‑per‑citizen” system and a crackdown on patronage networks. This movement is represented in the DAP’s platform, which has gained traction among young voters in urban centers like Baghdad and Erbil.

6. Security, Corruption, and Public Sentiment

Iraq’s security situation remains precarious. The PMF’s involvement in both security operations and politics has fostered a culture of impunity. The Columbian article includes an interview with a local activist in Mosul, who laments that “the PMF’s arms and finances are a shadow over any democratic institution.”

Corruption remains rampant; a linked study by the Iraq Transparency Initiative indicates that “over 70% of public officials are implicated in bribery schemes.” The article frames this corruption crisis as a key driver of the political impasse.

Public sentiment is split. Opinion polls referenced in the article show that 55% of respondents are “hopeful” about the elections, but only 12% trust any of the major blocs. The rest remain skeptical, fearing that the election will simply entrench the status quo.

7. The Road Ahead

Iraq’s political future hinges on how effectively these factions can reconcile their divergent agendas. The Columbian article concludes that “unless a coalition that includes technocrats, secularists, and moderate sectarian leaders can form, Iraq risks slipping back into civil unrest.”

The upcoming 2025 elections will be a litmus test for the country’s resilience. If the process is transparent and inclusive, it may pave the way for constitutional reforms, reduced foreign interference, and a renewed sense of national unity. However, if power struggles intensify, the risk of sectarian violence, Kurdish separatism, and foreign exploitation grows exponentially.

In sum, the Columbian coverage underscores a critical juncture for Iraq: a chance to choose between a fractured, faction‑driven future or a cohesive, democratic path forward. The country’s political survival now rests in the ability of its leaders—and its people—to navigate this tumultuous landscape.