|
|
Iraq /
Political situation
IRAQI NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Seats. General election January 30, 2005.
|
| United Iraq Coalition |
140 |
| Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan |
75 |
| Iraqi List |
40 |
| The Iraqis |
5 |
| Iraqi Turkmen Front |
3 |
| National Independent Cadres and Elites |
3 |
| People's Union |
2 |
| Islamic Group of Kurdistan |
2 |
| Islamic Action Organization in Iraq |
2 |
| National Democratic Alliance |
1 |
| National Rafidain List |
1 |
| Reconciliation and Liberation Bloc |
1 |
| Total |
275 |
|
|
Before 2003
There is no freedom of speech in Iraq, and everything in the society is marked by the one man rule of Saddam Hussein, and there is heavy and effective political control.
By its constitution, Iraq has a democratic structure, where there are parliament elections where all citizens can vote. The president is then elected by the parliament. This system is however democratic only in theory, as the parties allowed to participate need the approval of the state to participate. And no opposing candidate would in the present political climate dare to challenge Saddam in the president elections.
Formally, Iraq is ruled by the Revolutionary Command Council (RCC) which is best equated to a government, but this again is dominated by Saddam, who also serves as its head, as commander of the armed forces, and secretary general of the Ba'th Party.
The opposition of Iraq was granted limited rights in September 1991, and free elections were held by the Iraqi Kurds in May 1992.
© Copyright 1996-2008 LookLex Ltd. All rights reserved
By: Tore Kjeilen
|
|
|
