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    Iraqi protesters helped spur new elections. But many doubt their votes will matter

    The current parties in power — many backed by militias involved in deadly attacks on protesters — are poised to dominate parliamentary elections scheduled to take place Sunday. Here's what to know.
    by Ruth Sherlock Oct 08, 2021 4 minutes
    People stand on a street corner in a poor Baghdad neighborhood called Basateen. After the U.S. invasion in 2003, Washington backed the establishment of a governing structure in Iraq designed to share power among the country's different religious sects. But this has reinforced patronage and inefficiency in government, and a deteriorating quality of life for Iraqi citizens.

    BAGHDAD — In 2019, thousands of Iraqis started taking part in huge demonstrations to demand change. They called for an end to rampant corruption that is siphoning their country's oil wealth, for better public services like reliable water and electricity, and for a bigger voice in a government.

    The protest movement forced out Adil Abdul-Mahdi, then the prime minister, in May 2020, and triggered new elections. On Sunday, Iraqi voters will go to the polls to elect a new parliament for the fifth time since longtime dictator Saddam Hussein was ousted after the U.S. invaded in 2003.

    But many Iraqis say

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