Head of the Sairoon Coalition that came in first in the Iraq-wide elections Moqtada al-Sadr announced that efforts to form a government have been completed.

The Sairoon Coalition backed by Moqtada al-Sadr came in first in the Iraqi elections and gained 54 seats in the 329 seat parliament. Sadr doesn’t have the majority to form a government alone, so meetings with other parties and coalitions started in Baghdad.

“WILL BE INCLUSIVE”

Sadr met with various heads of parties, lists and coalitions and after returning to Najaf, said: “The government won’t be Shia, Sunni, Arab, Kurdish or of any one ethnicity or sect. It will be an Iraqi, local and strong government. There will also be a political, peaceful and constructive opposition.”

Sadr issued a statement on his social media accounts and said the new government will include all.

MEETING WITH SISTANI

Sadr also said he will be meeting with Shia religious authority Ali Sistani and clan leaders to ask their opinions in Najaf.

“ALL SHOULD PARTICIPATE”

Sadr met with Hadi al-Amri, head of the runner-up Fateh Coalition supported by Iran, and Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi who came in third in the elections, as well as Sunni and Kurdish officials. Sadr frequently stated during coalition talks that he wants to form a government that “all colors of Iraq” will participate in.

MEETINGS WITH KURDISH PARTIES

Sadr also met with KDP and PUK who sent committees to Baghdad for coalition talks. Abadi also announced recently that they have come to an agreement with Sadr on forming a government that all political groups will take part in.

UNCERTAINTY CONTINUES

Despite the flurry of talks, the uncertainty about forming a government continues, and prime procedures haven’t been fulfilled yet.

On May 17, 81 former MPs who are still in office because official steps haven’t been taken yet submitted a petition to the Iraqi Parliamentary Presidency for an emergency parliamentary session. 105 MPs were present in the session held on May 19, but no decision was taken as a majority could not be achieved in the parliament.

MPs issued another call for the parliament to gather a session today.