In the aftermath of Iraq’s 2019 protests, one pathway for translating street demands into political influence was through parliament. The entry of protest-linked and independent Members of Parliament raised expectations that the legislative branch could serve as a channel for accountability and reform.
Four years on, these expectations have largely fallen short. Structural barriers within parliament, deliberate political pressures, and limited cohesion among independents have curtailed their impact. The promise of legislative change has not matched the reality of entrenched institutions and elite resistance.
Key questions include:
- Why have some protest-linked MPs withdrawn from politics, while others have chosen to integrate into traditional parties?
- Why have only a smaller group of MPs chosen to pursue another term in Iraq’s 2025 national elections, and what sustains their persistence?
- What structural and political barriers most constrain the impact of independent MPs?
- How do Iraq’s experiences compare with those of other regional cases, such as Lebanon, in translating protest movements into legislative influence?
- What lessons can be drawn for enhancing the effectiveness of independent or protest-linked politicians in challenging established power structures?
Simultaneous Arabic-English interpretation will be provided.
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