Firebrand nationalist cleric Sadr leads Iraq election

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Moqtada al-Sadr was leading in Iraq’s parliamentary election with over half of the votes counted, the electoral commission said on Sunday, a surprise comeback for the powerful nationalist Shi’ite cleric who had been sidelined by Iran-backed rivals.

Shi’ite militia leader Hadi al-Amiri’s bloc, which is backed by Tehran, was in second place, according to the count of over 95 percent of the votes cast in 10 of Iraq’s 18 provinces.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi appeared to be running third. Security and commission sources had earlier said he was leading the election, which was held on Saturday and is the first since the defeat of Islamic State militants inside the country.

Turnout was 44.52 percent with 92 percent of votes counted, the Independent High Electoral Commission said - that was significantly lower than in previous elections. Full results are due to be officially announced on Monday.

-snip-

WORLD NEWS MAY 13, 2018 / 3:53 AM / UPDATED 18 MINUTES AGO
Ahmed Aboulenein, Raya Jalabi
6 MIN READ


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iraq-election/firebrand-nationalist-cleric-sadr-leads-iraq-election-idUSKCN1IE091

[Turbineguy]

1. Is Iraq strong enough

to Trump itself?

[flotsam]

2. 44% turnout

They're almost completely Americanized!

[elmac]

3. yep, they know their elections are worthless just like ours

for me, my last election was 2016, i'm waiting for the revolution.

[still_one]

4. Sadr's rise to power is a direct result of our invasion of Iraq, and the same assholes who were the

architect of that our back in charge, so is any of tis really a surprise

[NewJeffCT]

5. so much winning

Are we tired of all the winning?