Name: Young Iraqi activists seek to reform politics from within
Uploaded: 2025-11-06T22:13:17.962Z
Duration: 1 min 42 s
Description: A significant number of young candidates are running for seats in the Nov. 11 parliamentary election, with an eye to breaking the grip of entrenched parties holding power.

A significant number of young candidates are running for seats in the Nov. 11 parliamentary election, with an eye to breaking the grip of entrenched parties holding power.

Baghdad

As Iraq approaches its parliamentary elections, a notable number of young candidates and activists are striving to increase youth engagement in a political system historically dominated by older, established groups. Figures such as 21-year-old Ahmed Mazen and 31-year-old Ali Al-Ma'alem emphasize the importance of participation and reaching voters, even as skepticism persists about the likelihood of significant change.

Despite recent crackdowns on anti-government protests and the continued influence of powerful groups, some former protesters like Walid Hodeir have shifted their approach to seek reform through democratic participation. These activists acknowledge the challenges ahead, including resistance to change, but remain hopeful that increased involvement by younger generations can energize Iraq's political process.

Young Iraqi activists seek to reform politics from within

Posters for parliamentary candidates line the roads in Basra ahead of Iraqi elections next week. And a significant number of younger candidates hope to bring out voters under the age of 40 to participate in a democracy long dominated by older entrenched interests. In Baghdad, 21-year-old Ahmed Mazen told Reuters he was excited to vote. He's part of a generation that came of age in the decades following the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. Ali Al-Ma'alem is a 31-year-old civil activist. Certainly there is a great opportunity for young people to engage in political work. By the way, winning is not as important as reaching people. People now are in a transformation process after 2003, with Gen Z entering the electoral voting process. But many Iraqis remain sceptical, seeing the November 11th vote as unlikely to bring real change to the country's stagnant politics. Some of the same powerful groups still control the state and its oil wealth since Saddam Hussein's fall. And anti-government protests against unemployment and corruption were met with a harsh crackdown in 2023. That changed the approach of Walid Hodeir. The 42-year-old has a master's degree in chemistry and previously participated in anti-government protests. He's now a candidate for the civil democratic alliance in Baghdad. Hodeir said past demonstrations led to bloodshed and repression. He said he hopes participation in democracy will energize the people. Any youth seeking to change the status quo will face stiff resistance.

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