Victory Alliance
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| Victory Alliance | |
|---|---|
| Name | Victory Alliance |
| Founded | 2017 |
| Founder | Haider al-Abadi |
| Headquarters | Baghdad |
| Position | Centre |
| Country | Iraq |
Victory Alliance is an Iraqi political party founded in 2017 by Haider al-Abadi, emerging from the political realignments that followed the Iraqi Civil War (2014–2017) and the campaign to retake Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The party positioned itself as a centrist, technocratic force seeking to bridge sectarian divides among Shi'a Islam, Sunni Islam, and Kurdish people constituencies in post-conflict Iraq. It has competed with established blocs such as State of Law Coalition, Fatah Alliance, and Al-Wataniya for influence within the Council of Representatives of Iraq and provincial councils.
History
The formation of the party occurred in the aftermath of the Battle of Mosul (2016–17) and the declaration of victory over Islamic State, during a period marked by political dispute over reconstruction of Nineveh Governorate and the role of armed formations like the Popular Mobilization Forces in liberated areas. Its founder, Haider al-Abadi, had served as Prime Minister during the latter stages of the conflict and had overseen operations involving the Iraqi Armed Forces and international partners including the United States Department of Defense and the Coalition against ISIL. The party grew out of a split with elements associated with the Islamic Dawa Party and sought to attract defectors from State of Law Coalition and technocrats linked to ministries such as Ministry of Interior (Iraq) and Ministry of Finance (Iraq). Early alliances and negotiations involved figures from Iraqi National Movement and civil society activists from the 2018 Iraqi protests.
Organization and Leadership
Organizationally, the party established regional offices in Baghdad, Basra, Kirkuk, and Erbil to appeal to diverse constituencies including Marsh Arabs in Maysan Governorate and urban voters in Basra Governorate. Leadership structures combined a central executive council with advisory committees drawing on former ministers, parliamentary deputies, and municipal mayors from cities such as Mosul and Najaf. Prominent personalities associated with the party included former cabinet members, deputies from the Council of Representatives of Iraq, and local officials who had worked with international actors such as the World Bank and the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq. The party also engaged with Iraqi diaspora networks in United Kingdom, United States, and Germany to solicit policy input and campaign funding.
Ideology and Platform
The party articulated a platform emphasizing national reconstruction, anti-corruption measures, and administrative reform. It placed priority on rebuilding infrastructure in Al Anbar Governorate, expanding public services in Diyala Governorate, and reforming oil revenue distribution overseen by entities like the Iraq National Oil Company and the Ministry of Oil (Iraq). Its program referenced commitments to international obligations embodied by treaties such as the Sykes–Picot Agreement (as historical context) and to cooperation with organizations including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. On security, the party advocated reintegration of militia members into state institutions and supported veteran services for fighters from factions like the Popular Mobilization Forces. The platform appealed to constituencies disaffected with sectarian patronage networks represented by blocs like the Fatah Alliance and sought to contrast itself with the policies of political leaders such as Nouri al-Maliki.
Political Activities and Elections
The party fielded candidates in national and provincial elections, often negotiating electoral pacts with groups such as Kurdistan Democratic Party and civic coalitions formed during the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election. It participated in grassroots campaigning in liberated cities and engaged with protest movements that had emerged in 2019 Iraqi protests, attempting to channel demands for services and transparency into legislative priorities. The party's activists organized policy forums in collaboration with think tanks and academic institutions including University of Baghdad and the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. International engagement included meetings with delegations from European Union member states and visits by representatives to capitals like Washington, D.C. and London to discuss reconstruction aid and security cooperation.
Electoral Performance
Electoral results for the party were mixed. In some governorates the party won seats by appealing to pragmatic voters seeking reconstruction and public-sector reform, while in other areas established sectarian or ethnic blocs retained dominance. Performance varied between the 2018 Iraqi parliamentary election and subsequent by-elections, with stronger showings in urban districts of Baghdad Governorate and limited gains in Nineveh Governorate. The party's vote share fluctuated as alliances shifted ahead of elections and as new movements emerged from the 2019 Iraqi protests and the aftermath of changes in prime ministerial leadership such as the appointment processes involving Adil Abdul-Mahdi and later administrations.
Criticism and Controversies
Critics accused the party of insufficiently breaking with established political elites linked to the Islamic Dawa Party and of relying on patronage networks in provincial administrations like Basra Governorate. Allegations included disputes over candidate lists and accusations from rivals including members of the Fatah Alliance and State of Law Coalition about opaque funding sources and campaign practices. The party also faced scrutiny over its positions on the role of the Popular Mobilization Forces and the pace of civilian reconstruction in areas affected by the Battle of Fallujah (2016) and other operations. Human rights organizations and protest leaders from movements in Tahrir Square, Baghdad sometimes criticized the party for failing to fully adopt demands for accountability and legal reforms advocated by activists.