Iraqi parliament approves unpopular election law amendments

FILE PHOTO: Demonstrators wave flags as they protest against planned changes in electoral law, near Iraq's parliament in Baghdad, Iraq February 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ahmed Saad

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament approved on Monday amendments to the elections law, a move that has angered independent lawmakers and small parties who say the new legislation could weaken their chances.

The amendments abandon an election law under which the last parliamentary election was held in 2021, in response to pressure from anti-government protests demanding fairer election law and the departure of Iraq's ruling elite.