The Shiite camp in Iraq appears to have grown split between two rival blocs as the country continues its efforts to form a new government. The Sairoun bloc, headed by Sadrist Movement leader Moqtada al-Sadr, the Victory alliance, of Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, and the Hikma Movement, of Ammar al-Hakim, are pitted against the Fateh alliance, of Hadi al-Ameri, and State of Law coalition, of former PM Nouri al-Maliki. Each camp is seeking to lure in Kurdish and Sunni powers to their side. These political efforts have coincided with ongoing angry protests in central and southern Iraq over rampant corruption, poor services and unemployment. An informed political source told Asharq Al-Awsat: “It is remarkable that none of the political blocs have taken a serious stance on the demonstrations and have limited them to minor statements of support for their demands.” “It is as if these blocs are not an active player on the political seen or that some of their figures served as premier or ministers over the years,” he added on condition of anonymity. On the surface, it seems that none of the leaderships wants to ride the wave of protests that are targeted against the entire political class, he continued. The reality is that some powers have intervened in the rallies to, unfortunately, settle scores with rivals. Regardless of their motives, all of the political parties have sought to ensure that only Abadi is at the forefront of the confrontation with the protesters because they are eager to turn him into a scapegoat and see his political downfall, explained the source. Abadi is leading a caretaker government that does not have much to offer the protesters and they know this, he continued. At the same time, he is heading an important coalition and remains a strong candidate to be chosen for a second term in office, he stated. “Whenever the government takes a step forward to end the demonstrations, someone tries to pour fuel on the fire through methods that have become known to the official powers,” he noted. A source from Abadi’s office, meanwhile, said on Saturday that the incumbent premier is likely to be chosen to head a new cabinet. The issue, however, hinges on the religious authority in al-Najaf, Ali al-Sistani, it added. “Abadi reached important understandings with the Maliki-Ameri alliance, as well as the two main Kurdish parties, over the formation of the government,” he revealed. “The Kurds did not voice any rejection to Abadi. In fact, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan expressed a great desire for him to run for a second term,” he said. “The political understandings are comfortably falling in Abadi’s favor after the Shiite blocs agreed to form a cabinet headed by him” on condition that it have Sistani’s blessing, he stated.