Between pleasing foreign powers and rejecting domestically, will al-Sudani succeed in securing a second term?
Between pleasing foreign powers and rejecting domestically, will al-Sudani succeed in securing a second term?
8-21-2025
Information/Report..
As Iraq’s elections approach, questions are escalating about Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s ability to secure a second term. He faces accusations of seeking to please foreign powers—American, Turkish, and Kuwaiti—at the expense of domestic interests. This has sparked widespread controversy in political and popular circles.
Attempts to gain external support
Observers believe that al-Sudani’s agreements with Ankara, his hosting of American companies, his proposal for projects related to the port of Tripoli, and his stance on the Khor Abdullah dispute with Kuwait all reflect his desire to gain regional and international support that will pave the way for his continued rule.
Hussein Al-Karawi, head of the organizing body of the popular movement for the Belt and Road Initiative, told Al-Maalouma, “Al-Sudani’s visit to Turkey and the agreements he concluded there, in addition to his recent economic and political moves, clearly indicate that he is working to strengthen his negotiating position to secure a second term through external means, not internally.”
US pressure on the Popular Mobilization Forces
For his part, Abdul Rahman al-Jazairi, head of the political bureau of the National Tribal Current, revealed “increasing American pressure on the government regarding reducing the number of Popular Mobilization Forces and removing them from areas in Samarra, Anbar, and Babylon.” He added to Al-Maalouma that “Al-Sudani’s harmony with these trends falls within the framework of his calculations for a second term.”
The people have the final say
Others, however, reject the idea of linking the future of power in Iraq to external approval, asserting that the final decision rests with the Iraqi voter.
Ibrahim Al-Sakini, a member of the State of Law Coalition, said, “The Iraqi people will make their choice in the elections and will not allow any external party to impose their will or appoint their rulers.” He confirmed to Al-Maalouma that, “Whether Al-Sudani tries to please Washington or not, he will not win a second term due to the decline in public satisfaction with his performance and his association with corruption cases and controversial deals.”
A difficult equation
While al-Sudani is betting on gaining the support of regional and international powers, observers believe that this may not be enough in light of the growing popular rejection. The question remains open: Can al-Sudani balance domestic and international efforts to secure his continued rule, or will the dream of a second term fade under pressure from the Iraqi street?
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