Iraq Election Results

Originally posted by STANG
Your comment doesn't dismiss the concern that over 20 candidates from one political party were killed. Why couldn't America's invasion force protect them ?

As for US forces protecting candidates, they are having a hard enough time protecting themselves.

Originally posted by ivanhoe
The Shia United Iraqi Alliance (UIA), which won the election in Iraq, is beginning efforts to form a new government.
The process is expected to take several weeks.

The UIA are seeking to represent all parties in key positions, in the hope of realising national harmony.

The main Shia list of candidates took just under half the seats in the new 275-m ...[text shortened]... eighbouring countries? Can a representative government be achieved?

What are your thoughts ?

Update from final election results:
275 seats. (182 seats required to confirm major government posts)

Shiite alliance: 140 seats
Kurdish groups: 75 seats
Secular Shiite: 40 seats
Other: 20 seats

And the analysis heard on every news station over and over and over again: Religious Shiites will have to negotiate to set up gov't.

Originally posted by telerion
Update from final election results:
275 seats. (182 seats required to confirm major government posts)

Shiite alliance: 140 seats
Kurdish groups: 75 seats
Secular Shiite: 40 seats
Other: 20 seats

And the analysis heard on every news station over and over and over again: Religious Shiites will have to negotiate to set up gov't.

One of the most brilliant moves that Alawi and his provisional government did succeed at was the "70%" rule on the coming constitution. It will require a 70% majority rule from the currently elected congress to enact anything on the final constitution. That will pretty much guarantee a secular constitution. If for no other reason than religious zealots will have to be discarded by the majority in order to do anything. Brilliant. In my opinion.