Reconstruction and Development Coalition
Reconstruction and Development Coalition ائتلاف الإعمار والتنمية (Arabic) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Leader | Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani |
| Founder | Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani |
| Founded | 20 May 2025 |
| Ideology | Iraqi nationalism Pragmatism Reformism Secularism (some parties) |
| Political position | Centre |
| Member parties |
|
| Slogan | Iraq First (Arabic: العراق اولا) |
| Seats in the Council of Representatives of Iraq | 54 / 329
|
The Reconstruction and Development Coalition[1] (Arabic: ائتلاف الإعمار والتنمية), is an alliance of political parties and an electoral and parliamentary group in Iraq. Founded by prime minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani on 20 May 2025, the alliance was formed to contest the parliamentary elections scheduled for 11 November 2025 and to support al-Sudani's bid for a second term as prime minister. It consists of multiple political parties and independent members of parliament.[2][3][4] Among its members are 54 current MPs.[5]
The alliance includes Al-Sudani’s Furatayn Movement; the National Coalition, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi; and the National Contract Alliance, headed by Popular Mobilisation Forces chief Falih Al-Fayyadh. It also brings together the Karbala Creativity Alliance, under Karbala Governor Nassif al-Khattabi; the Sumer Land Gathering, led by Labour Minister Ahmed Al-Asadi; the Generations Gathering, led by MP Mohammed al-Sahyoud; and the National Solutions Alliance, led by Prime Minister’s adviser Mohammed Sahib Al-Daraji.[6]
History
[edit]The bloc’s formation took place amid widening divisions within the Coordination Framework (CF). In early 2025, several CF factions expressed unease over the prime minister’s growing local political base, particularly through alliances with governors Asaad Al Eidani of Basra, Nassif Al-Khattabi of Karbala, and Muhammad Al-Mayahi of Wasit. The alliance also attracted prominent figures from CF-affiliated parties, such as Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani and MP Alia Nassif, further heightening tensions with his former partners.[7]
Political relations and rivalries
[edit]Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani’s relations with influential Shiite figures Muqtada al-Sadr and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani have shaped Iraq’s current political dynamics. Sistani’s religious establishment in Najaf has recently asserted greater influence in Baghdad,[8][9] rejecting the idea of Iraq being part of regional external alliances.[10] Sudani has engaged with Najaf’s positions, with Sistani’s representative Abdul Mahdi al-Karbalai urging the government to limit weapons to state authorities and strengthen state institutions.[9] Regarding al-Sadr, while he has reaffirmed his boycott of the November 2025 elections, sources note that he has signaled readiness to support an “alternative bloc” that commits to his reform program, which includes restricting weapons to state forces and dissolving militias.[11] This has prompted concerns among some Coordination Framework factions about a potential tacit alignment between al-Sadr and Sudani on issues of militia control, which could influence electoral dynamics ahead of the vote.[12]
The coalition’s primary rival is the State of Law Coalition led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.[13][14][15] Multiple analyses describe a direct contest between Sudani and Maliki, especially in Baghdad, with Maliki retaining a strong support base there and across southern provinces such as Basra, Dhi Qar, Muthanna, and Karbala.[14][15] Maliki’s support base is reported to include middle-class voters, state employees, and military personnel, and his ties to the Supreme Judicial Council have helped him resist efforts to sideline him.[15] The rivalry has also surfaced in provincial contests, including the Baghdad governorship race, where the two blocs backed opposing candidates.[16] Furthermore, the Iran-aligned militia Kata'ib Hezbollah and President Abdul Latif Rashid have both been reported as supporting measures to block al-Sudani’s legislative reforms ahead of the elections.[17][18]
Electoral Campaign 2025
[edit]The coalition has nominated 446 candidates to contest 240 of the 329 parliamentary seats. Its electoral efforts were concentrated in 12 of Iraq's 19 governorates.[19] Among these are 138 candidates for 71 seats in Baghdad, 62 candidates for 34 seats in Nineveh, and 50 candidates for 25 seats in Basra.[20]
References
[edit]- ^ "Can Iraq's partial crackdown on a powerful militia weaken Iran's proxies?". Atlantic Council. 8 September 2025.
- ^ Toomey, Bridget (26 May 2025). "Iraqi prime minister announces electoral alliance". FDD's Long War Journal. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "New parliamentary bloc boosts Iraqi PM's ambitions for new term ahead of poll". The Arab Weekly. 14 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ^ Mahmoud, Sinan. "Iraq PM Al Sudani to run in elections with new alliance". The National. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ faris.kaabneh. "العراق: السوداني يتزعم كتلة من نواب بارزين لخوض الانتخابات". العربي الجديد (in Arabic). Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ "Iraq's Fatah Alliance denies blocking al-Sudani's second term bid". Shafaq News. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "In Iraq, speculation rises over Sudani bid for second term". Amwaj.media. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ "Iraq's new political consensus: al-Sudani, al-Sadr, and al-Sistani". London Politica. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Tehran Loses Ground to Najaf's Rising Influence in Baghdad". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Al-Sudani plans to protect Iraq from major changes in the region". Arab News. 19 January 2025. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ esennett (8 September 2025). "Can Iraq's partial crackdown on a powerful militia weaken Iran's proxies?". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 8 September 2025.
- ^ Al-Samarraie, Jawad (15 July 2025). "Coordination Framework fears potential Al-Sadr-Al-Sudani alliance ahead of Iraq's election". Iraqi News. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ "Allies Turned Rivals: The Political Rift Between al-Sudani and al-Maliki". Shafaq News. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ a b "Al-Sudani and Maliki: More than Just an Iraqi Cold War". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Sudani's Alliance in Upcoming Iraqi Elections: Mobilization Strategy, Competitors and Expected Results". Emirates Policy Center. 25 August 2025.
- ^ "Baghdad Governor race: Al-Sudani's pick faces Al-Maliki's". Shafaq News. Retrieved 10 September 2025.
- ^ Penn, Addison (13 August 2025). "Key Issues Shaping 2025 Iraq Parliamentary Elections". Geopolitical Monitor. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
- ^ Menmy, Dana Taib (8 August 2025). "As Iraq heads for elections, PM Sudani faces mounting pressure from Iran-backed militias and rivals". The New Arab. Iraq: The New Arab. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "صراع البيت الشيعي الانتخابي.. 1700 مرشح و3 أقطاب على 240 مقعداً". شفق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 25 October 2025.
- ^ "السوداني يخوض الانتخابات بـ 446 مرشحاً؛ لمن سيصوت أنصار الصدر؟". www.rudawarabia.net. Retrieved 25 October 2025.