News

Iraq elections face delay after Talabani rejects bill, Gulf Research Center (2008)

 

US welcomes Iraq local election law, AFP (2008)

 

Opposition Grows to Iraqi Election Plan, The Wall Street Journal (2009)

As legislators are preparing an electoral law for January elections, opposition grows to the closed-list ballot proposal.

Iraqi primary election ordered by Muqtada Sadr draws voters, Los Angeles Times (2009)

Muqtada Sadr's party holds the first primary for candidates in January 2010 election.

Iraqis defer vote on election law, The Washington Post (2009)

The second voting for an electoral law crucial for the upcoming January elections failed, pointing to the current problems that Iraqi legislators and society have to face.

Iraq: Bombings may aim to derail effort to reform election law, Irish Times (2009)

As the country senior leaders were supposed to meet to resolve a dispute over the election law, two bombs exploded at the justice ministry and provincial administration offices in Baghdad.

Legislators in Iraq block a Deal on Election Law, The New York Times (2009)

Despite a law proposed by the nation's top political figures on Monday, Iraqi political parties failed to agree on the election law again. This represents another blockage in negotiations, threatening the January 16 national elections.

Iraqi Kurdish bloc to boycott vote, CNN (2009)

The Kurdish bloc in the Iraqi parliament intends to boycott the vote on the electoral law if the province of Kirkuk is banned from voting in the January 2010 elections.

Iraq fails to agree on election law, The Wall Street Journal (2009)

Iraqi lawmakers failed to agree on the proposed electoral law yet again and the election commission warned that the January election may have to be delayed if the law does not pass this week (during Thursday session).

Iraqis again fail to approve election law, The New York Times (2009)

The Iraqi Parliament failed to approve the long debated election law during the Thursday session, which will very likely lead to a delay in the elections, scheduled for January 16. A member of the Independent High Electoral Commission Hamdia al-Hussaini said she would wait until Sunday to decide whether to postpone the election.

Deal on Kirkuk sets stage for Iraqi elections, The Guardian (2009)

Having agreed on the formula to include the disputed city of Kirkuk in national election, Iraqi legislators have finally passed the electoral law, which means that the national elections will take place in January 2010.

Iraq VP threatens to veto vote law over refugees, Reuters (2009)

The Iraqi Vice President threatened to veto the election law unless seats in the Parliament are allocated to Iraqi refugees. This move once again raises doubts about whether the general election scheduled for January 2010 will actually take place.

Kurdish legislators threaten boycott of Iraq election, The New York Times (2009)

After the Iraqi Vice President threatened to veto the election law, the Kurdish legislators threatened to boycott the election unless they get a greater share of parliamentary seats.

Iraq VP vetoes the new election law, BBC News (2009)

The Sunni Vice President of Iraq, Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed article 1 of the electoral law, demanding the representation of displaced people in the Iraqi parliament to increase to 15%. This action puts into doubt the upcoming elections that are scheduled to take place in January 2010.

Iraq's January elections face near certain delay, The New York Times (2009)

As the Iraqi parliament disregarded the Vice-President's veto of the electoral law, and approved new amendments that the Vice President announced he would veto as well, holding January polls, as required by the Constitution, becomes virtually impossible, deepening the already troublesome crisis.

Iraqis reach tentative compromise on amended election measure, The Washington Post (2009)

The different Iraqi factions reached a compromise over the amended electoral law, thus potentially avoiding the second veto by Vice President al-Hashimi. Iraq's electoral commission still has to sign the agreement, but one of them was quoted saying it "looks promising." Because of this crisis, January elections are most likely to be moved to February.

Iraqis reach a deal on long-delayed election law, The New York Times (2009)

Short of avoiding a constitutional crisis, the Iraqis reached a deal on the election law. According to the government officials, the compromise had been agreed upon by Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish leaders and therefore it is unlikely to collapse again. As the election officials need at least 60 days notice to prepare for vote, the date of elections could be set for early February 2010.

Iraq: bombs kill 112 in Baghdad as March election date is set, Telegraph (2009)

As the election officials announced that the 2010 general election will take place on March 6, several blasts aimed at the government buildings in Baghdad killed 112 people and left more than 200 wounded.

Iraqi election workers targets for insurgents, The Washington Post (2009)

Insurgents have been killing and kidnapping election workers with an aim to derail the March parliamentary elections. The Iraqi officials claim the Sunni insurgent group Al-Qaeda in Iraq is behind the latest attacks, which have forced the electoral commission to increase security measures for staff members.

Iraq/Syria: A vote of no confidence, Syria Today (2010)

Despite the fact that the status of refugee voters have become one of the key election issues in Iraq, this article claims that the Iraqi refugees living in Syria seem to lack interest and confidence in the upcoming March elections and remain cynical about their homeland's election process. The refugee voting can also pose several logistical challenges, which will have to be dealt with in Syria and elsewhere.

Iraq bars 15 political parties with Baathist ties from upcoming elections, The Washington Post (2010)

The Justice and Accountability Commission tasked with cleansing government ranks and security forces from Baathists has decided to ban at least 15 parties from the upcoming parliamentary elections claiming that they have either been linked to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party or promoted Baathist ideals. There is an existing concern that this move will lead to more violence and uprisings.

Iraqi Commission bars nearly 500 candidates, The New York Times (2010)

The Independent High Electoral Commission made a decision to bar approximately 500 out of 6, 500 candidates running in the March election, after having received a list from the government commission that vets candidates for ties with Saddam Hussein's Baath Party. The candidates have three days to appeal to a federal court. Some analysts have voiced their fear that this decision could lead to more sectarian violence, undermining the agreement by almost all Iraqi factions to participate in the elections.

Iraq election row goes to court, BBC News (2010)

Iraq's President Talabani has requested the Supreme Court to settle the political dispute that has arisen following Justice and Accountability Commission's ban of about 500 candidates from contesting in elections. President Talabani stated that this decision may not be legal as it wasn't approved by the Parliament. The President is also questioning the timing of the ban.

Iraq court given time to review candidates, The New York Times (2010)

Iraqi leaders gave the appeals court time to review the ban on hundreds of candidates accused of having ties with the Baath Party. Prime Minister Al-Maliki indicated that he will accept the jurisdiction of the court which last week postponed the disqualification of the candidates until after the vote. The fate of some prominent candidates remains unresolved though, which could still worsen the situation. The campaign has been delayed in the meantime, and several protests have taken place.

Iraq: De-Baathification As A Political Tool, Carnegie Endowment (2010)

The article is on the use of the De-Baathification as a political tool by Iraq’s Justice and Accountability Commission which barred nine predominantly Sunni political parties and 458 individuals from participating in the country’s March parliamentary elections on grounds that they were affiliated with Saddam Hussein’s regime or apologetic of the former regime.

Fears of Iraq poll boycott after Sunni party pulls out, Guardian (2010)

Saleh al-Mutlaq, a leader of the National Dialogue Front (one of the main Sunni parties) calls for a Sunni boycott of the upcoming Iraqi elections. Al-Mutlaq was one of the individuals listed in the banned electoral list because of his alleged Baathist ties. Although there was no immediate response to his call by the other Sunni parties, there are fears that this move might lead to a "dangerous political vacuum after the elections."

Iraq: Suleimaniya witnesses clash as Election campaign starts in Kurdistan, The Kurdish Globe (2010)

The article of a local newspaper describes the clashes occurred in Suleimaniya as Election campaign starts, between the PUK and the Change party.

U.S.–Iran power struggle over Iraq, Aljazeera (2010)

The US Ambassador to Iraq warns that it could take months to form a new government in Baghdad after the Iraqi elections, which could means considerable political turmoil in Iraq against the looming specter of a renewed sectarian war in the country.

Iraqi election body invites NGOs to monitor Jordan-hosted poll, Jordan Times (2010)

The IHEC has urged the International Organisations and political groups to register to monitor the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Iraq to Rehire 20,000 Hussein-Era Army Officers, The New York Times (2010)

This article is on the announcement of the Iraqi government to rehire 20,000 former officers, that came consequent to the Prime Minister's campaign in the coming elections around denouncing the former Baath government.

Key Iraqi Sunni Politician Decides Not to Boycott March Election, VoA New (2010)

This article is on the announcement of Salih Al-Mutlaq; a key Sunni politician announced that he would not to boycott the elections.

Nouri al-Maliki most popular candidate as Iraq general election looms, The Guardian (2010)

This article is expecting that the current Prime Minister to top the poll in the general election on 7 March, with a threat to his possible second term as leader without post-election coalition help.

Iraq could return to chaos and violence if election is not fair, The Daily Telegraph (2010)

This article is on the statements of Ayad Allawi, a leading candidate for the Parliamentary election that will take place on 7 March 2010; who says that he would boycott the Parliament if he felt the election was fixed.

Iraq suicide bombers target city of Baquba, BBC (2010)

With fears that Iraq could slide back into sectarian violence; attacks in the central Iraqi city of Baquba have killed at least 31 people and injured many more, which come amid heightened sectarian tension ahead the election on 7 March.

Blast kills 5 as Iraqi troops, police vote early, Reuters (2010)

Five people in Baghdad were killed and 22 were wounded in an explosion near an empty polling station, while Iraqi troops, police, prisoners and the infirm have started to cast their early votes ahead of the upcoming election. 950, 000 people are eligible to vote early; most of them are members of the Iraqi security forces. The attack occurred despite the tight security measures being implemented.

Expatriates vote in Iraq election, Aljazeera (2010)

The Iraqis living abroad in 16 countries are voting for the Parliamentary election, starting two days before the election's day on 7 March. The number estimated by the UNHCR of the Iraqi refugees who fled the country is around 4.2 million since 2003.

Iraq parliamentary election hit by insurgent attacks, BBC (2010)

The second Parliamentary election in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has been hit by multiple attacks, with at least 35 people being killed. Candidates from 86 factions were vying for 325 parliamentary seats, with some 19 million Iraqis eligible to vote.

Turnout appears healthy in Iraq vote despite attacks, Reuters (2010)

More than 55 percent of Iraqis voted in parliamentary election despite attempts by the insurgents to disrupt the landmark vote with attacks that killed 38 people, officials said.

Iraq election turnout 62%, officials say, BBC News (2010)

Despite the violence during elections, in which 38 people were killed, the voter turnout in the elections was 62%. The final official results will not be declared until the end of March, but the preliminary results are expected within two or three days. Prime Minister Maliki's State of Law Coalition is expected to win the most seats, but none of the parties will probably be able to form a government alone.

Candidates Speculate on Results of Iraq Vote, The New York Times (2010)

Iraq's Candidates and coalitions began positioning themselves in an evolving political landscape. The current prime minister Al-Maliki and Ayad Allawi emerged from the election as the front-runners to be a prime minister.

Election Reaction From Around Iraq, The New York Times (2010)

As Iraq returns to normal life after a week of election curfews and holidays, the Iraqis around the country spoke about their choices, hopes and expectations, with updates on the results as boxes began to arrive from around the country to the Green Zone headquarters of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC).

Iraq's election race tight as results delayed again, BBC (2010)

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki had a narrow lead over rival Shi'ites, partial results in Iraq's tight election race showed on Friday, but a secularist challenger remained far ahead in Sunni areas.

Iraq: Political Turmoil Threatens as Votes Are Counted, The Time (2010)

Preliminary returns released on 11 March from four of Iraq's 18 provinces show the incumbent, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, carrying predominantly Shi'ite areas — despite a strong challenge from supporters of radical cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. Former U.S.-installed Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shi'ite who, like Maliki, leads a broad nationalist coalition with strong Sunni Arab representation, appears to have prevailed in predominantly Sunni areas north of Baghdad.

Iraq voters give politicians another chance, BBC (2010)

The current prime Minister has the incumbent's advantage, with the full weight of the state media and the and the government machinery at his disposal while the former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, believes he did better than the preliminary results show.

A week on, Maliki pulls ahead in Iraq race, Reuters (2010)

The Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki pulled ahead in early results of an election Iraqis hoped would end years of sectarian strife, but a divided vote suggested long and fraught talks to form a government are ahead.

Frustration Grows in Iraq at Slow Pace of Vote Tally, The New York Times (2010)

There are now partial preliminary results from each of Iraq’s 18 provinces, and they point to a very close contest. Officials cautioned that only a fraction of the more than 12 million votes had been counted. With the frustration of the slow pace; the United Nations officials said there had been little evidence of large-scale irregularities so far. The elaborate procedures meant to ensure transparency and to catch irregularities are partly responsible for the slow pace of the count.

Iraq’s Premier Endorses a Recount of the Vote, The New York Times (2010)

Mr. Maliki’s statement, which did not directly call for a recount, invoked his position as commander in chief of the military and seemed to imply violence would ensue without a new count, and he said that election officials were obligated to respond to calls for a recount. Ayad Allawi the main competitor showed a slight lead of 11000 votes over the Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki after having 95% of the votes counted. The commission said complete results would be released on 27 March.

Iraq parliamentary election recount 'unnecessary', BBC (2010)

The head of Iraq's election commission has ruled out a manual recount of all the votes in the country's parliamentary election. This comes the day before overall election result is due to be released on Friday 27 March.

Iraq to release full results from March 7 vote, The Washington Post (2010)

Iraq's electoral commission says it will announce full election results as scheduled despite calls for a delay amid fears of violence over the tight race.

In Iraq, 5 die in blasts targeted at Ayad Allawi's political bloc, The Washington Post (2010)

A series of explosions in a border town in western Iraq killed five people on 28 March, including a member of former prime minister Ayad Allawi's political bloc, which won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary election, Iraqi officials said.

Iraq: Allawi accuses Iran of election interference , BBC (2010)

Iyad Allawi, the man who won Iraq's parliamentary elections, has accused Iran of trying to prevent him from becoming prime minister.

Iran attempts to broker Shia coalition government in Iraq, The Telegraph (2010)

Iran is trying to put together a new coalition government in neighbouring Iraq from Shia parties even though they lost last month's general election.

Security Council Press Statement on Iraq Elections - 31 March 2010, Relief Web (2010)

The members of the Security Council call for the political entities to respect the certified election results and the choices of the Iraqi people, according to the press release issued on 31 March.

Iraq: Baghdad alert after embassy blasts, Aljazeera (2010)

Iraq is on high alert following three co-ordinated suicide car bomb attacks in Baghdad that left at least 30 people dead and hundreds of others wounded. Iraq's foreign ministry said that the attackers were aimed at causing political turmoil following the March 7 parliamentary elections.

'Tough negotiations ahead' for Iraq, Aljazeera (2010)

A TV interview with the US ambassador Christopher Hill on the Iraqi Election that took place on 7 March 2010.

Iraq: Recount of Baghdad election results is ordered, BBC (2010)

Iraq's election commission has ordered a manual recount of votes cast in Baghdad province, after complaints from Prime Minister Nouri Maliki. The recount, ordered by a judicial panel, covers more than 2.5m ballots which account for 68 seats in the 325-seat Council of Representatives.

Dangerous stalemate after Iraqi election, BBC (2010)

More than six weeks after Iraq's inconclusive general elections, the country is still nowhere near having a new government. While there has been much manoeuvring and shadow-boxing since the 7 March poll, serious negotiations to build the coalition needed to gain a parliamentary majority have not even begun.

Discord Over Election, Recount Cloud Iraq's Future, National Public Radio (2010)

Nearly two months after the vote, Iraq's March 7 parliamentary election is still up in the air. Former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's electoral bloc got two more seats than that of incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. But just as that result was to be confirmed, an Iraqi judge last week ordered a recount in Baghdad -- which could erase Allawi's lead.

Election Ruling in Iraq Favors Prime Minister as Crisis Grows, New York Times (2010)

Seven weeks after Iraqis went to the polls, a special elections court disqualified a winning parliamentary candidate, most likely reversing the narrow defeat of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki’s alliance and possibly allowing him the first chance to form a new coalition government.

Iraqiya may call for interim government, new elections, Washington Post (2010)

The Sunni-backed Iraqiya political bloc, which won the most seats in recent parliamentary elections, said Wednesday 28 April that it might call for the establishment of a caretaker government to oversee a new election -- escalating a political crisis. Iraqiya also proposed extending the mandate of the outgoing parliament until a new one is in place, "for the purpose of monitoring the executive branch."

Iraq: Baghdad Vote Recount Begins Monday, VOA News (2010)

Iraq's electoral commission says a recount of votes in Baghdad from the March parliamentary elections will begin Monday and last at least two weeks.

Iraq begins Baghdad vote recount requested by PM, Washington Post (2010)

Iraqi officials began on Monday 3 May, a controversial recount of the 2.5 million ballots cast in Baghdad, a move requested by Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki who narrowly lost a parliamentary election held nearly two months ago.

Iraq locked in two-man power struggle after vote, Reuters (2010)

Two months after a general election that produced no outright winner, Iraq has become locked in a battle between two men fighting for power that threatens its fragile security and hopes for stability.

Iraq Recount Mired in a New Dispute, New York Times (2010)

Only hours after a recount of ballots from Iraq’s parliamentary elections began on Monday 3 May, leaders of Prime Minister Nuri Al-Maliki’s coalition objected to the way it was being conducted and sought a court order for a more thorough review of what they called election irregularities.

Chaotic start to Iraq's election recount, BBC (2010)

The recount from the Iraqi election got off to a chaotic start, as observers from political parties thronged into two rooms at the Al Rasheed Hotel in Baghdad's Green Zone.

Iraq's two major Shiite political blocs to unite in effort to form government, Washington Post (2010)

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's coalition and another Shiite political bloc announced Tuesday night that they would band together to form a new government.

Iraq: Iraqiya: Shia alliance made in Iran, Aljazeera (2010)

The Iraqiya coalition, which won the most seats in Iraq's March 7 parliamentary poll, has alleged an alliance between Iraq's two main Shia blocs is an "Iranian orchestrated" sectarian move.

Iraq recount 50 percent done, Reuters (2010)

Iraq's parliamentary election results have not changed significantly as the result of a recount of 2.5 million ballots that has now reached the halfway point, an elections official said on Sunday 9 May.

Iraq recount fails to overturn Allawi election win, Reuters (2010)

The secularist Iyad Allawi, head of the cross-sectarian coalition and former Prime Minister held the two-seat win in Iraq's March 7 election after a recount of votes cast in Baghdad, elections officials said Sunday 16 May.

Iraqi court dismisses de-Baathification cases, Reuters (2010)

An Iraqi appeals court on Monday 17 May rejected the disqualification of nine winning candidates from the elections took place on 7 March, removing another hurdle to the certification of the ballot results more than two months after the vote.

Iraq: The SRSG welcomes the proper conduct of the recount process, UNAMI (2010)

The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Ad Melkert welcomed the proper conduct of the manual recount process, followed by the announcement of the recount results.

Iraqi Politicians Break Bread, but Not the Standoff, New York Times (2010)

Iraq’s leading politicians — government ministers, clerics and sheiks, in the absence of Ayad Allawi who is still claiming to form the Government — gathered Thursday over a lunch at Peace Palace. It was an effort to foster reconciliation after the country’s intensely disputed election, but ended with little of it in evidence.

Iraqi prime minister Maliki warns against rushing to form new government, The Washington Post (2010)

This article discusses the possible governments that may be formed in Iraq and the political and security related consequences.

Fresh appeals lodged in Iraqi election impasse, Reuters (2010)

This article discusses the recent appeals lodged against the March parliamentary elections in Iraq. Monday is the last day for electoral appeals before results are sent to the Supreme Court to be certified.

Iraqi Angst Grows Amid Political Stalemate, Violence, NPR (2010)

This article discusses the growing political tensions in Iraq as parties continue to negotiate to form a government following the March 7 elections.

Iraq MP from Iraqiya bloc shot dead in Mosul, BBC (2010)

This article discusses the killing of Iraqi MP Bashar al-Ageidi. Police suspect that the killing may have been an attempt to disrupt the political process as negotiations continue to form the next Iraqi government.

Q& A with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, The Washington Post (2010)

An interview with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki discussing a variety of issues including the formation of a government following the March 7 election results.

Did Iraq's Allawi lose by winning the election? Reuters (2010)

This article analyses why Iyad Allawi, who won the March election in Iraq, could be considered the biggest loser. His coalition gained a small majority of the parliament's seats and is sustained mostly by Sunnis.

Iraqi election appeals rejected, court to rule, Reuters (2010)

This article reports on the election authorities' final rejection of the appeal against the results of the March elections. Since the March 7 elections, Iraq is still without a government.

Iraq vote results face another possible delay, Reuters (2010)

There may be further delays before Iraq's Supreme Court can certify the March 7 election results. The court has asked election officials to clarify legal issues surrounding an appeal against a candidate.

Iraq's supreme court upholds March election result, BBC (2010)

Iraq's Supreme court has certified results from the March election in which the Iraqiyya party won the most votes. This clears the way for continued negotiations between parties to form a governing coalition as no party has a clear majority.

Iraq headed for wide coalition government, BBC (2010)

Iraq's Supreme Court has ratified the results of the March elections, but it may still be some time before a government is formed as no party has a clear majority and negotiations continue to form a governing coalition.

Iraq's New Parliament to Hold First Session June 14, VOA (2010)

A week after election results were confirmed by the Supreme Court the first session of the new parliament has been set for June 14. There is still no government as the election results did not return a clear winner.

Former Iraqi PM expects new government in August, VOA (2010)

The former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi is expecting the new Government to be formed next August and the negotiations between the political groups are in the final stages.

Iraq Parliament session delayed over impasse, CBS News (2010)

Iraq Parliament Session is delayed as politicians fail to reach an agreement on who will form the next Government. The acting speaker says it will be postponed for days and possibly for weeks.

Amid Violence and Instability, Iraqi Government Lies Idle, The New York Times (2010)

The Parliament met once for 18 minutes on June 14, since the national elections more than four months ago. The parliamentary leaders delayed a session scheduled for this week, raising questions about whether their inaction is now breaking the law.

Iraq: Obama: Time to Form Iraqi Govt. 'Without Delay', VOA News (2010)

U.S. President Barack Obama urged Iraqi leaders to form a government "without delay" to end the political deadlock in Baghdad following March parliamentary elections.

U.S. keeps pressure on Iraq to form new government, Reuters (2010)

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on 28 July urged Iraq's politicians, still unable to agree on a new government, to "get on with the business of governing" as U.S. troops prepare to end their combat mission.

Iraq postpones meeting of parliament again, Reuters (2010)

Iraqi lawmakers called off a session of parliament on 28 July, saying they needed more time to decide who will hold the nation's highest offices, members of parliament said.

With succesful Elections, Iraq has embarked on ‘historic path’ to shape future, but delays forming government real test for transition, Security Council (2010)

The Security Council of the UN has issued a press release on the Iraqi Elections conducted in March 2010.

Iraq's Allawi says to intensify talks with Sadrists, Reuters (2010)

Iyad Allawi said the former PM said on Tuesday 17 Aug, his Iraqiya alliance would intensify talks with the Sadrists movement to try to break a political stalemate.

Iraq breaks record for longest time with no government, Washington Post (2010)

This article shows that Iraq on 1 Oct, will surpass the previous record for the country that has gone the longest between holding a parliamentary election and forming a government, experts say.

Iraq parliament ordered to get back to work, BBC (2010)

The news shows that Iraq's Supreme Court has ordered the country's parliament back to work, more than seven months after inconclusive elections left Iraq in political limbo.

Ayad Allawi ready to quit power-sharing talks and lead Iraq opposition, The Guardian (2010)

This article is on Ayad Allawi, who won the most votes in Iraq's general election eight months ago, has for the first time indicated he will take his bloc into opposition and walk away from western-backed efforts to form a power-sharing government that would free the country from a crippling political crisis.

Top Iraqi political leaders discuss forming new government, Los Angeles Times (2010)

This article is on Iraq's top political leaders who met on 8 Nov 2010 for the first time since inconclusive national elections in March. But the session, held in the Kurdish north, ended with little hint that they were on the verge of forming a new government.

Tentative Deal in Iraq Keeps Maliki in Power, New York Times (2010)

This news article indicates that Iraqi officials on Thursday welcomed a tentative agreement struck hours earlier to create a unity government embracing the country’s major ethnic and religious factions, ending an eight-month political impasse and returning Nuri Kamal al-Maliki to power for a second term as prime minister.

Guide to political groups in Iraq, BBC (2010)

This is a guide from the BBC on the Iraqi political entities.

Iraqi parliament hit by walkout, Washington Post (2010)

This news article is about the Iraq's parliament which achieved an important milestone Thursday 11 Nov, agreeing on who would hold the country's top leadership spots after more than eight months of acrimonious negotiations. But a dramatic walkout by members of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc marred the nearly five-hour session and underscored the deep divisions and distrust that dominate the country's political system.

Squabbling hits Iraq PM’s plan to unveil cabinet, Khaleej Times (2010)

This news article says Iraqi PM Nuri al-Maliki’s plan to unveil a national unity cabinet was in disarray as political parties squabbled over posts and the timing of the announcement was put in doubt.

Iraqi parliament due to vote on new government, BBC (2010)

This news article says that the Iraqi parliament is due to vote on the composition of its new government, after political wrangling delayed progress on Monday.

Iraqi Parliament Approves New Maliki Government, VOA News (2010)

This news article is about the Iraq parliament which voted to approve the new government of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, although the key ministries of interior, defense and national security were left vacant.

Violence erupts during anti-government protests in southern Iraq city, Washington Post (2011)

This news article is about the governor of Wasit, an Iraqi province 50km to the South pf Baghdad; who was forced to flee Wednesday when protesters stormed his headquarters during violent demonstrations that illustrated the potential for upheaval in Iraq's new, and still shaky, democracy. The demonstration took place also in other southern cities.

Two killed during protest in Iraqi Kurdistan, BBC (2011)

This news article says that two people have been killed and 40 wounded after police shot at a crowd of protesters in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. Hundreds of young men, chanting slogans against corruption and high unemployment, tried to storm the local government offices in Sulaimaniya. There have been a string of protests in cities across Iraq.

Iraq: Authorities 'using violence and bribes' to curb dissent, The National (2011)

This news article says that authorities in Iraq are using a mixture of strong-arm tactics and financial persuasion to prevent anti-government protests gaining momentum. The political stakes escalated significantly when thousands of people took to the streets of Baghdad and other major cities last week to demand reforms, improved services and an end to the corruption associated with Iraq's new political elite.

Iraq: Kurdistan president Barzani calls for early provincial Election, Bloomberg (2011)

This news article is about the call from Massoud Barzani, president of Iraqi Kurdistan, for early elections in the semi-autonomous region after days of protests demanding better services and more accountability from elected officials.

Iraq: Kurds protest, man tries to set himself ablaze, Reuters (2011)

In this news article; a protester tried to set himself on fire in Iraq's semi-autonomous northern Kurdish zone on Friday, where demonstrators have camped out on a square to call for the ouster of the powerful regional administration. Protests were also held in several other Iraqi cities, although numbers were smaller than in previous weeks and there was no major violence.

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Iraq: Sadrists Call for New Elections , VoA News (2011)

This news article says that the Iraqi political bloc led by anti-American Shi'ite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has issued a call to dissolve Iraq's parliament and hold early elections, in a move that could escalate the country's growing sectarian crisis.

Iraq: President calls for talks after bloc asks for new Elections, Bloomberg Buisiness Week (2011)

This news article says that Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has called for a meeting of all political parties after a group of legislators asked for the dissolution of parliament and new elections amid escalating sectarian tensions.

Iraq: Ayad Allawi puts power-sharing deal at risk, Reuters (2012)

This news article says that Iraq's attempt at a government power-sharing deal seems immediately imperilled after Ayad Allawi led his group of MPs from a parliamentary session that had just convened after eight months of deadlock. The buildup to Friday's sitting had been mired in uncertainty and brinkmanship on all sides, but a mass walkout after all 325 members had finally assembled was in nobody's script. An Allawi-led boycott would prove a significant setback and increases the risk of his winning coalition splintering.

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Iraq’s political factions accuse PM of "dictatorship" after arrest of Head of IHEC, Alarabiya (2012)

In this news article, key political factions accused the premier of moving towards a dictatorship with the arrest of Iraq’s electoral commission chief, a charge the prime minister denied on Saturday 14 April.

Iraq Election official’s arrest casts doubt on prospect for fair voting, New York Times (2012)

This news article says that the Chief of the Independent High Electoral Commission, spent most of the weekend in a jail cell after being arrested on corruption charges on Thursday. He was released on Sunday afternoon after posting bail of $12,500. In a country where billions of dollars are siphoned off annually in corrupt oil deals and government contracts, the accusations against Mr. Haidari would seem to be minor: doling out bonuses of about $130 each to five employees. It says also that the prospect for fair elections has been thrown into question.

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Iraq's Maliki warns could call early elections, Swiss Info (2012)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Wednesday 27 June, warned he will call for early elections if other political parties refuse to negotiate to end a deadlock over power-sharing that has crippled the government.

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Iraq polls mark first big test since US pullout, Gulf News (2013)

This article is about the polls for provincial election which will take place on 20 April in only 12 of Iraq’s 18 provinces. Nationwide, more than 8,000 candidates are competing for 381 seats on the country’s provincial councils. They represent, according to Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission, more than 240 political "entities", a term that includes everything from large organised political parties to independent individual candidates. Approximately 16 million Iraqis are eligible to cast ballots, but analysts cited by the Associated Press predict that only half that number are likely to turn out.

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Iraq counts votes from first polls since US pullout, The Nation (2013)

Election officials began tallying votes on Sunday 21 April, from Iraq's first elections since US troops departed, a contest that served as a key test of its stability amid a spike in violence. More details in the source link below.