Iraqi Student: Parliamentary Elections Mark a Decisive Battle Between Resistance and U.S. Influence

Speaking to Hawzah News Agency, Zeinab Basri, a cultural activist from Basra, stressed that resistance-aligned political movements view the November 11, 2025 elections as a decisive moment for determining the future of Iraq’s sovereignty and the fate of the Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi).

According to official figures, more than 21 million Iraqis are eligible to vote, with nearly 9,000 candidates from 31 coalitions vying for 329 parliamentary seats. The new parliament will not only form the next government but also elect the president—an outcome that will shape the country’s political trajectory and balance of power.

Basri said Washington has intensified efforts to influence the electoral landscape by empowering parties aligned with Western interests, in an attempt to weaken the resistance factions and undermine Iraq’s independent decision-making.

She emphasized that the strong and organized participation of Hashd al-Shaabi members in pre-election phases sends a clear message about their commitment to national stability, democratic engagement, and defense of the country’s sovereignty. Analysts say the mobilization of the Popular Mobilization Forces underscores their role as both a security pillar and a political force safeguarding Iraq’s independent path.

The student activist warned that hostile groups, including elements aligned with the so-called ISIS axis, are pushing aggressively to secure a parliamentary majority and capture the premiership “with the explicit aim of dissolving the Popular Mobilization Forces and dismantling the Islamic resistance in Iraq.”

On the role of women, Basri noted that although female political participation remains limited, cultural and religious women’s institutions have launched greater outreach campaigns compared to previous election cycles to raise political awareness and encourage voter turnout.

Expressing concerns about specific political figures, she said many Iraqis fear the potential rise of Asaad al-Idani as prime minister, recalling his previous insistence that he would only accept the post if it came alongside a political deal installing Barzani as parliamentary speaker and al-Halbousi as president.

Basri concluded that the outcome of the 2025 elections will serve as a defining moment for Iraq—either strengthening the path of resistance and national independence or enabling deeper foreign interference in the country’s internal affairs.