Iraq: Hundreds protest election results

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Hundreds of supporters of pro-Iranian groups take to the streets like here in Basra

Photo: Nabil Al-Jurani / dpa

Supporters of pro-Iranian groups in Iraq have protested the result of the general election. This was triggered by significant losses by pro-Iranian parties. Hundreds of their supporters gathered on Sunday in the capital Baghdad and in Basra in the south and set fire to car tires in protest, eyewitnesses reported. Others blocked a road between Baghdad and Basra. The leaders of groups supported by Iran such as the Fatah alliance or the Kataib Hizbullah militia announced earlier this week that they would not recognize the election result.

The Fatah coalition of Hadi al-Ameri is the big loser in the election.

According to the first results, she lost two thirds of her seats (32) and now only has 15 seats.

In the 2018 parliamentary election, it was still the second strongest force.

Fatah is linked to Shiite militias in the country, which in turn are supported by neighboring Iran.

Overall, an alliance of nine Shiite groups rejects the results.

From their point of view, there were "major irregularities" in the election a week ago.

The groups have announced that they want to challenge the election result.

According to initial results, the strongest force was once again the movement of the Shiite cleric Muktada al-Sadr.

Observers had expected it.

The "Sadrists" won 73 of the 329 seats.

The announcement of the official result could be delayed by weeks or even months due to complaints.

Al-Sadr's movement has now declared itself the winner.

The Iraqis had voted on the parliamentary candidates on Sunday a week ago with a large number of security forces.

Also out of frustration with the country's political elite, just 43 percent of voters took part, as the election commission announced on Sunday.

This is the lowest turnout since the overthrow of long-term ruler Saddam Hussein in 2003. Oil-rich Iraq is in a political and economic crisis.

Löw / dpa