Seats between the influence of the powers and the fear of losing the political identity of Christians
The Christian seats of Iraq are caught between the influence of the powers that be and the fear of losing their political identity.
As Iraq's parliamentary elections approach in November, Christians in the country are more concerned than ever about their political future. A population that has shrunk dramatically in recent years and whose security and cultural identity have been under pressure, now fears that even its five quota seats could be effectively handed over to major non-Christian parties.
According to the Independent High Election Commission, more than 30 Christian candidates are running in the provinces of Baghdad, Nineveh, Kirkuk, Dohuk, and Erbil. However, many of these candidates, according to experts, have direct or indirect support from powerful Shiite and Sunni factions, which, rather than reflecting the concerns of the Christian community, are more interested in influencing and politically exploiting these limited seats. This has led to increased disagreements and mutual accusations among Christian groups, and public trust in the representation process has diminished.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the leader of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has called on Christians to participate widely in the elections. He warned that problems such as the presence of armed groups, economic pressures and the confiscation of government quotas have intensified the wave of migration and threaten the future of this minority even more than before. According to statistics, the population of Christians in Iraq, which used to be more than one and a half million, has now decreased to several hundred thousand after decades of war and especially the attack by ISIS.
Christian political activists see the main solution in reforming the electoral law. They insist that voting for special seats should be limited to Christians alone to prevent the dominance of candidates affiliated with powerful parties. Only then will the true voice of the Iraqi Christian community be heard in parliament.
Christians have faced waves of persecution, oppression, and marginalization throughout history, both in the Middle East and elsewhere. This ancient minority in Iraq is not only at risk of demographic annihilation, but also of its political and cultural identity. What is needed most is to ensure security, religious freedom, and a platform for their genuine participation in the country’s political future, for eliminating or weakening the voice of this community would not only be an injustice to Christians, but also a blow to Iraq’s diversity and social richness.
