The national election in Iraq was almost a tie among the two leading parties, with plenty of minor parties gaining seats. The losers are complaining, the "victors" celebrating, but the reality is that no government can emerge quickly from the results. A coalition will develop, and that slowly.
Let us pause, meanwhile, to admire the reality that Iraq has held another relatively solid and fair election. For its part of the world, that is a major accomplishment. Real contests took place, real politicking went on. What other country in the region has such freedom?
Well, sure, Israel. But, who else?
There is hand-wringing about possible violence, even "civil war", in the days ahead. But Iraq has horrible bombings all the time. They come from terrorists who didn't want this election to happen, not from the democrats of various allegiances and persuasions.
One other thing. For several years after the Coalition invasion, we were told that sectarianism would dominate Iraq. The refreshing thing about the elections just completed is how diminished a role sectarianism has played. I admire the Iraqis. They may be the pivotal power (again, other than Israel) in the region in years to come. It is partly because whatever government comes about now, it has ballots behind it.
Leave a comment