New Parliamentary Group Being Formed in Iraq

Al-Rafidayn ^ | February 27, 2007

[jmc1969]

A new political configuration is emerging in Iraq with the formation of a parliamentary group comprising the Al-Iraqiyya group of former prime minister Ayad Allawi and most of the members of the various Sunni political forces represented in the Parliament. The new group is to be called the National Iraqi Front, and it will control 80 members of the parliament's 275 members.

[SolidWood]

Interesting. Could be a very positive devlopment. It would be crucial to involve also moderate Shia factions of the UIA and the Kurds.

[jmc1969]

Ping

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Thanks for the ping...

[SandRat]

PING

[Dog Gone]

I realize that the arab world has a different reality than we do, but can you imagine the US Congress broken up into parties based on religion?

The Catholic Caucus. The Baptist National Front. The Whiskeypalian Liberation Army.

I dunno. Until Iraqis consider themselves to be Iraqis first, there's always going to be tension, at least.

[jmc1969]

It was the list PR parlimentary system that the UN recommended for Iraq and Bremer accepted that broke Iraq up by religion.

Most Kurds liked Allawi and would have voted for him over any religious Shia candidate, except they weren't given that option. Instead they had to either vote for him or a list created by their communities leaders and they went with the Kurdish list. The same thing happened with the Sunnis and Shia.

[Dog Gone]

I'm not a big fan of the parliamentary form of government. It certainly beats some other forms, but it's inherently unstable. Is Italy on about its 40th government since WWII?

I don't see how it works for a nation experimenting with democracy. It creates divisive factions and it's very difficult to reach a consensus on anything. The one thing Iraq needs more than anything now is some unity.

[jmc1969]

I agree and it was what I was saying at the time when Bremer and the UN was considering what type of political system Iraq should have.

[Marine_Uncle]

And obviously they where so damn short sighted it is pathetic.
At any rate, it is interesting to see this new development taking hold. I find it very interesting to see Allawi always in the background. He just may be the next elected PM, and most probably the man who can bring the nation under one secular rule. They have to do some mods on those articles in their constitution that forbid Baathist from holding elected positions however.