Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi is cutting an isolated figure in the whirlwind of popular protests that have swept southern and central Iraq. Barring a few modest statements, the majority of political figures and blocs have remained silent over the demonstrations that have been demanding improved services and an end to corruption. Observers have noted the silence of Kurdish and Sunni blocs. Shiite officials have also stayed away from the fray except for a few tweets by cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, who called for calm. Exacerbating Abadi’s position is the “disgruntlement among members of his Dawa party over his wavering stances,” a source close to the party told Asharq Al-Awsat. “Abadi is in an unenviable position these days, especially since he is heading a caretaker cabinet. It appears that the situation will only get more complicated,” stated the source on condition of anonymity. Moreover, the source questioned Abadi’s ability to meet the demands of the protesters, explaining that the government “does not have the jurisdiction or sufficient funds.” “Abadi is hostage to the World Bank, which is overseeing the implementation of decisions and the state’s financial and administrative policy,” he continued. Meanwhile, observers remarked that Dawa party Secretary General and former PM Nouri al-Maliki is supporting the demonstrations, attributing it to “spite” he harbors towards Abadi. Maliki had hailed the protests through a tweet, saying: “I salute you and your high national spirit when you brandished arms in defense of Iraq. You achieved victory against the ISIS gangs and today you are Iraq’s beating heart. You are the leaders of this movement that is demanding services and a dignified life.” Maliki had faced during his second term as prime minister a wave of protests during the winter of 2011. He confronted the rallies with force that led to the arrest of dozens of protesters. He sought several times to bar demonstrations, which later ate away at his popularity. Abadi is likely to witness a similar fate, given that several people have been killed and hundreds wounded in the ongoing protests. Political science professor at the University of Kufa Iyad al-Anbar told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abadi’s caretaker role has not garnered him supporters and “political forces do not care to stand by him and jeopardize their reputations given that the protesters are just in their demands.” “The strict security measures that he adopted against the protesters has eroded his reputation that he earned during his war against ISIS. This will definitely harm his chances of winning a second term in office, which he is aspiring for,” he added.