Al-Bayan Center for Studies and Planning held a dialogue session entitled “Parliamentary Elections 2025: Examining the Experience of Emerging Parties Amid Electoral Transformations.” The session hosted Mr. Mahmoud Hameed, Deputy Head of the Nazil Akhuth Haqqi Democratic Movement, and Mr. Hamed Al-Sayyid, Deputy Head of the National Path Current, with the participation of political and civil figures representing the new wave of activism in Iraq.
The discussion explored the current landscape of emerging political parties that have taken shape in the aftermath of the Tishreen protests, along with the structural and political challenges they face ahead of the upcoming elections. These challenges include electoral law, limited access to funding, organizational fragmentation, and the absence of clearly defined political programs.
During the session, Mr. Hamed Al-Sayyid argued that the political and electoral environment remains unconducive to fair competition or meaningful change, leading some groups to consider boycotting the elections as a form of protest against the enduring dominance of the traditional political establishment.
In contrast, Mr. Mahmoud Hameed offered a different perspective, underscoring the importance of participating in the elections as a necessary step toward achieving change from within the system. He cautioned that election boycotts could result in yielding political space to entrenched powers, noting that the Tishreen movement has gained valuable lessons from past experiences.
The session saw active engagement from attendees, who exchanged views on the prospects of emerging parties and their potential to offer credible political alternatives. The discussion touched on key issues such as internal organization, public trust-building, and the broader strategic question of whether to engage with or reject the existing electoral process.
