Democracy Takes Root in Iraq
Editorial, The National | November 11, 2009
The passing of a recent election law in Iraq is proof enough that democracy has taken root against all odds. ++ The law, which allows for greater transparency and voter responsibility, was hotly contested and in the end Parliament barely managed to "thrash out a deal." ++ Most importantly, it represents a turning point in Iraq's political development as the US finally stepped up to taka more active stand. ++ Furthermore, holding another, more successful national election will help cement Iraq's "progress towards recovery."
Sat, Nov 14th 2009, 22:22
Laura Kline, NYU MSGA, Bronze Contributor (17)
Ones to watch closely this election are the Kurds. The Kurds gained some influence in the last election, but with Sunni participation in January, that influence could be diminished.
Also, while they won the recent battle over the voter lists in Kirkuk, Kurdish politicians remain fractured across party lines, especially as the Goran or Change Movement, shakes up their long-standing political structure. Given the “open list” in the January election, Kurds may suffer more than other groups from a lack of unity – a force that has helped its fight in the past. Democracy, in this context, may be harmful to Kurdish priorities, unless they can find a way to speak with one voice with respect to common interests.
This weakness could be destructive, especially as tension festers over Kirkuk, seen this week as Arabs and Turkmens unite in their resentment over what they allege are inflated voter lists by the Kurds. While the open list process may splinter every group, the Kurds certainly have much at stake, and a need to establish a sense of unity as a response to this expanded democratic process.