Part of the recent three-part compromise bill that managed to make its way through Iraq's parliament was provincial elections, an important political element that's long overdue. Eric Martin writes, though, that the Iraqi government is already thinking about postponing them, nearly eight months out. It looks like the delay -- if it occurs at all -- won't be lengthy, but it's still a worrying sign.
And of course scheduling is the least of the issues when it comes to these elections. I think provincial elections are a vital element of any political progress (and I've occasionally named them as an answer to the "what's the one thing you'd do to improve the situation . . ." question), but they're not without concern. As Eric comments, regarding competing Iraqi Shia parties,
While Fadhila and the Sadrist current have clashed in the past, the two groups make natural allies at this juncture - due to their mutual enemy (ISCI), the nationalistic outlook of each, their resistance to partition (a favored agenda of ISCI) as well as other common religious and ideological leanings. The two combined could greatly weaken ISCI's position via elections - which has led many to wonder whether ISCI will attempt some level of fraud.I'll discuss this much more as the elections draw near, but any benefit from them is likely to be preceded by violent jostling for position. Yikes.
