Firebrand nationalist cleric Sadr leads Iraq election
Source: Reuters
BAGHDAD/ERBIL, Iraq (Reuters) - Moqtada al-Sadr was leading in Iraqs parliamentary election with over half of the votes counted, the electoral commission said on Sunday, a surprise comeback for the powerful nationalist Shiite cleric who had been sidelined by Iran-backed rivals.
Shiite militia leader Hadi al-Amiris 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 Iraqs 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
(37,291 posts)to Trump itself?
flotsam
(3,268 posts)They're almost completely Americanized!
elmac
(4,642 posts)for me, my last election was 2016, i'm waiting for the revolution.
still_one
(92,061 posts)architect of that our back in charge, so is any of tis really a surprise
NewJeffCT
(56,828 posts)Are we tired of all the winning?