Iraq is seeing the formation of new political constellations ahead of its upcoming October parliamentary elections. In an important development, Hikmah Movement leader Ammar Al-Hakim has in recent months teamed up with former prime minister Haidar Al-Abadi to form the National Power of the State coalition, emphasizing the need for central government authority.

The coalition notably also includes the Iraqi National Congress, a party headed by Aras Habib—the successor of late prominent Shiite politician Ahmed Chalabi—and two movements which emerged from the Oct. 2019 anti-government protests...