Iraqi elections: An opportunity for India, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Iraq held its sixth parliamentary election on November 11, featuring 7,744 candidates vying for 329 seats.
• The election employs a system of proportional representation with significant participation from women, who have 25% of seats reserved for them.
• The incumbent Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is seeking to continue his rule amidst challenges of corruption and political apathy.
• Iraq's election holds regional importance due to its geostrategic position and status as OPEC's second-largest oil producer, exporting approximately 3.6 mbpd in 2024.
• In 2024-25, India-Iraq bilateral trade reached $33.35 billion, with Iraq being India's eighth-largest trade partner.

Detailed Insights:

• The Iraqi political landscape is characterized by sectarian divisions among Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish parties, leading to potential post-election coalition negotiations.
• Low voter turnout is expected due to public apathy stemming from corruption, suppression of protests, and the boycott by influential Shia leader Moqtada al-Sadr.
• The election's outcome could impact regional dynamics, particularly concerning the influence of the U.S. and Iran, and the future of Shia militias.
• A stable Iraqi government could potentially disarm militias and address Kurdish autonomy, reversing trends caused by past instability in Baghdad.
• Iraq aims to increase its oil production to 7 mbpd by 2029, with China and India as major customers, and is focused on reducing gas flaring for power generation.
• India aims to strengthen its relationship with Iraq beyond trade, focusing on mutual interests and shared democratic values to enhance stability in the Gulf region.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Proportional Representation: An electoral system where the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received.
• Muhasasa: A power-sharing system in Iraq that allocates positions based on sectarian affiliation, often criticized for fostering corruption.
• OPEC: The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, a group of oil-producing nations that coordinate petroleum policies.