The story: Top Iraqi political leaders have agreed to Shiite cleric and politician Muqtada Al-Sadr’s call for fresh elections. However, important voices have outlined the need for a consensus ahead of another vote. Supporters of Sadr have been holding a sit-in at the parliament in protest against the rival Shiite Coordination Framework’s naming of Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani as its candidate for prime minister. This comes as Baghdad has been roiled by separate demonstrations organized by the Coordination Framework and the October (Tishreen) protest movement.

The coverage: In an Aug. 3 video address, Sadr called for holding “early democratic elections after dissolving the incumbent parliament.” He also urged “ending corruption” through the continuation of street protests which he referred to as the “democratic peaceful revolution”—additionally calling for constitutional reforms...