Iraq’s governing Shia alliance strengthened in provincial elections

Iraq’s governing Shia alliance has reportedly emerged as the biggest winner in the country’s provincial elections.
The loose coalition of Shia groups, called the Shia Coalition Framework (CF), took 101 of 285 council seats in the December 18 vote, Iraqi state media reports. The election result is seen as a boon to the Iran-aligned groups, which have been steadily gaining influence, in advance of a parliamentary election scheduled for 2025.