State of Law Coalition

State of Law Coalition. The State of Law Coalition is a major Shia Islamist and nationalist political alliance in Iraq, formed to contest the 2009 Iraqi governorate elections and the pivotal 2010 Iraqi parliamentary election. Primarily led by former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his Islamic Dawa Party, it has been a dominant force in the Council of Representatives of Iraq and a central player in post-invasion governments. The coalition advocates for a strong central government, security sector control, and economic development, often positioning itself against Kurdish autonomy and rival Shia blocs like the Sadrist Movement and the Al-Fatah Alliance.

History and formation

The coalition was officially established in 2009 by then-Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, building upon the electoral base of his Islamic Dawa Party following his tenure after the 2005 Iraqi parliamentary election. Its formation was a strategic move to consolidate a broader, non-sectarian platform ahead of the 2009 Iraqi governorate elections, where it performed strongly in provinces like Baghdad and Basra. The alliance gained significant prominence during the highly contested 2010 Iraqi parliamentary election, where it narrowly won the most seats but faced a protracted government formation process against Iyad Allawi's Iraqi National Movement. Key to its later evolution was its role following the U.S. withdrawal and its response to the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which influenced its political strategies and partnerships.

Political platform and ideology

The coalition's platform emphasizes Iraqi nationalism, a unified and powerful central state in Baghdad, and a security-first approach, often championing the authority of the Iraqi Armed Forces and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Its ideology blends Shia Islamism with pragmatic Conservatism, supporting Sharia-influenced legislation while promoting economic reconstruction and anti-corruption measures, albeit with mixed results. It strongly opposes the fragmentation of Iraq, regularly clashing with the Kurdistan Regional Government over territories like Kirkuk and resource-sharing, and maintains a skeptical stance towards extensive federalism. The alliance positions itself as a bulwark against both Ba'athist revival and the influence of rival regional powers, while fostering close ties with Iran.

Electoral performance and representation

The coalition first contested nationally in the 2010 Iraqi parliamentary election, winning 89 seats and forming a government after complex negotiations with other blocs like the Iraqi National Alliance. In the 2014 Iraqi parliamentary election, it secured 92 seats, leading to Nouri al-Maliki's initial bid to retain the premiership, though he was later replaced by Haider al-Abadi. Its performance declined in the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election to about 25 seats, reflecting voter discontent over services and the rise of rival Shia lists such as the Saairun alliance. In the most recent 2021 Iraqi parliamentary election, it won 43 seats, re-establishing itself as a critical bloc within the Shia Coordination Framework necessary for forming the government of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani.

Leadership and key figures

The coalition's undisputed founder and longtime leader is Nouri al-Maliki, who served as Prime Minister of Iraq from 2006 to 2014 and remains a dominant figure within the Islamic Dawa Party. Other pivotal personalities include Haidar al-Abadi, who succeeded Maliki as Prime Minister and later led the Al-Nasr Coalition, and influential figures like Ali al-Adib and Khalid al-Asadi. The alliance also incorporates several smaller parties and figures, such as those from the Badr Organization and various independent technocrats, though its core leadership and decision-making have consistently revolved around Maliki and the Dawa Party's senior cadres.

Role in Iraqi politics

The coalition has been a cornerstone of every Government of Iraq since 2010, wielding significant influence over key ministries, particularly the Interior, Defense, and security apparatus. It plays a central role within the Shia Coordination Framework, the dominant Shia parliamentary grouping that negotiates premiership candidates and government formation, as seen in the elevation of Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani. Its policies have profoundly shaped post-2003 Iraq, from confronting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant to managing tensions with the Kurdistan Democratic Party and engaging in regional diplomacy with Iran and the United States. The alliance remains a primary actor in the ongoing struggles over oil revenue, constitutional amendments, and the balance of power between Baghdad and the country's diverse regions.

Category:Political parties in Iraq Category:Shia Islamic political parties Category:Political party alliances