Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr’s coalition scored major points in the recent parliamentary elections with Sadr’s positions against virulent influence peddling and the presence of foreign military forces in the country. His growing power seems to worry the United States and Iran. Turkey's not sure what to think.

As Sadr didn't actually run in the elections, he can't become prime minister, but his already substantial influence is expanding because of his coalition's victory. If Sadr structures a balance between Sunnis-Shiites and Arabs-Turkmens while pushing Iran back, the outcome might well be a promising beginning for Turkey. But there is also tension because Sadr's definition of "foreign military presence" includes Turkey. Sadr's not saying, “Americans should leave, but Turkish troops at Bashiqa military base can stay.” And one should not forget how in 2016, nationalist Iraqis laid siege on the Turkish Embassy in Iraq with a simple hand signal by Sadr.

In the May 12 elections, the Sairoon Alliance that Sadr formed with the Communist Party and liberal groups won 54 seats, more than any other coalition, though not enough for a majority. The Fatah list, which included the Popular Mobilization Units and five other groups that gained prominence in the war against the Islamic State (IS), won 47 seats. The Victory Alliance of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi won 42 seats, and the State of Law Coalition of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki won 26. The Kurdistan Democratic Party won 25.

Other winning parties included the Iraqi National Accord party of former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, with 22 seats; Ammar al-Hakim’s National Wisdom Movement, 19; Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, 18; the Iraqi Decision Alliance of former parliamentary speaker Osama al-Nujaifi and businessman Khamis al-Khanjar, 14; the Change Movement (a Kurdish group also known as Gorran), 5; and New Generation, formed by Kurdish businessman Sahsuvar Abdulwahid, 4.