Followers of anti-US cleric Muqtada Al Sadr hope to win back their position as a major force in this month's regional elections after a string of political setbacks last year. Even modest success in the January 31 vote for ruling provincial councils could position the Sadrists as coalition partners in key southern provinces. "This month's elections will decide who remains in the political arena and who will go into oblivion," said senior Sadrist lawmaker Hassan Al Rubaie. "If we fail to do well, our movement could fragment, and some of its key figures could be lured away by rival blocs trying to destroy us," he said.
The Sadrists also face a strong threat from the country's two largest Shiite parties: the Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council and the Dawa party of Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki. The movement wants to prevent the other Shiite parties from winning enough seats to monopolize power, said Salah Al Obeidi, Al Sadr's chief spokesman.
"Our ultimate goal is not to allow governors to do as they please," Al Obeidi said at his Najaf office.