Elections.. radical solutions

The entire political system in Iraq was exposed to the prospect of collapse after the outbreak of the October protests in 2019. This is what our center (Riwaq Baghdad) warned about in the first issue of (Al-Riwaq) magazine, which bore the title (Iraq and the Possibilities of Collapse). It did not require parapsychology, or the sophistication of Henry Kissinger, or Noam Chomsky; To reveal the impact of the gap that struck the political system, separating it from the masses supporting its continuation and permanence. This indicates serious repercussions and major problems that require real solutions to the crisis of the regime. Therefore, it is naive - in my opinion - to link the protests to the government of Adel Abdul-Mahdi in isolation from exposing and analyzing the big picture of events, and this is not a defense of Abdul-Mahdi's government, or impartiality to it from mistakes, nor ignoring the international reasons that motivate the protests and their repercussions, such as foreign funding and media mobilization. , and the complexities of the international scene and its impact on the Iraqi interior, foremost of which is the imposition of economic sanctions on Iran, and the occurrence of Iraq - from a geopolitical point of view - in the face of the policy of maximum pressure (maximum pressure) on Iran, which was imposed by former President Trump.

Thus, we can understand the wrong timing in which the government of Adel Abdul-Mahdi came, and carried on its shoulders the crisis of the regime, not just the crisis of previous governments. Thus, when the choice is made between sacrificing the government or sacrificing the government, then the easiest is to sacrifice the government; to preserve the system of government; Therefore, the Supreme Religious Authority in Najaf practiced forced artificial respiration in the body of the ruling regime, which relied on sacrificing the government by hinting at it to resign on the one hand, and calling for early elections and the necessary formation of a new federal court and election commission, as well as urging the masses and elites to organize their affairs, and to fight The arena of politics and governance if they want change.

However, the pressing question for the Iraqis remains: Will the elections be a solution to their problems? Although the electoral system, which was the outcome of the protests, won remarkable public support on social networks, experience will still be sufficient to show the extent of its success and its ability to generate a parliament and government that have the ability to solve the economic, social and service crises afflicting Iraq.

An electoral system based on individual candidacy in small districts will produce representatives who are more focused on their regions and less concerned with public problems. Their main concern will be to satisfy their constituents in their small, limited constituency. Presumably, the voter is responsible for attracting votes in the elections that follow. Also, each of the winning candidates will be - often - more powerful than the bloc that nominated him in the constituency; Because the main criterion for his success is his ability to convince voters and obtain votes, regardless of the bloc and its orientations. Thus, the ability of the bloc leadership to control the directions of its deputies will be weakened. This may make it difficult for the next parliament to form a government within the specified constitutional times. Thus, Mr. Al-Kazemi's government will continue to conduct business for a period that may not be short, until a new government is formed. This is what the Iraqis do not want, and may threaten the internal stability of the entire country, God forbid.

Yes, broad electoral participation will play a major role in shaping the shape of the parliament and the next government. This is what the opinion polls conducted by the (Baghdad Riwaq) indicate that it - that is, the elections - will have a wider participation than the previous one, contrary to what some media outlets are promoting, especially the age groups ranging between 18-30 years. Which calls for optimism that the political system will restore its public legitimacy, by injecting new blood to participate more.

What we have to do - as elites working in the fields of knowledge and shouldering a great responsibility - is to reveal the truth without equivocation, educate members of society, and define the ceiling of our expectations, in light of the intertwined reality. Let's avoid the storms of frustration that surround us from every side