Iraqi PM announces early elections next June

Iraq will hold its next parliamentary elections nearly a year early, on June 6, 2021, Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi announced in a televised speech on Friday. Kadhimi came to power after massive protests for months against government corruption and excessive Iranian influence ousted his predecessor. Hundreds were killed by security forces and pro-Iranian militia gunmen. Parliament must approve the new date. Kadhimi’s government is struggling with the rapid spread of coronavirus, a fiscal crisis because of low oil revenues and the challenge of powerful Shiite militias.