Maliki emerges atop Iraq poll in bid to remain PM

[k98nights]

Maliki emerges atop Iraq poll in bid to remain PM

 

Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki won the most seats in Iraq's elections but fell short of a majority on Monday, leaving him in the driver's seat to retain his post despite vocal opposition.

 

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki shows his ink-stained finger as he casts his vote at a polling station in Baghdad. (AFP/Ali Al-Saadi)

 

 

BAGHDAD: Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki won the most seats in Iraq's elections but fell short of a majority on Monday, leaving him in the driver's seat to retain his post despite vocal opposition.

The results from the election commission showed Maliki's State of Law alliance garnered 92 out of 328 parliamentary seats, with the incumbent himself winning more than 721,000 personal votes.

Both were by far the highest such figures from the April 30 election.

But he still fell short of a majority, meaning he will have to win the support of rivals from across the communal spectrum, some of whom have sharply criticised Maliki and refused to countenance his bid for a third term in office.

State of Law won 30 seats in Baghdad alone, and came first in 10 provinces overall, all of them in the bloc's traditional heartland in the Shiite-majority south of the country.

Maliki's main rivals all finished with between 19 and 29 seats overall, according to an AFP tally of election commission results.

Iraq's political parties have for weeks been meeting and manoeuvring as they seek to build post-election alliances, but the formation of a new government is still expected to take several months.

As in previous elections, the main blocs are expected to agree on an encompassing package that ensures the prime minister, president and parliament speaker are all selected together.

Under a de facto agreement established in recent years, Iraq's prime minister is a Shiite Arab, the president is a Kurd and the speaker of parliament is a Sunni Arab.

Maliki's critics accuse him of consolidating power, particularly within the security forces, and blame him for a year-long deterioration in security, rampant corruption and what they say is an insufficient improvement in basic services.

The election and its aftermath came amid a surge in violence that has killed more than 3,500 people this year, fuelling fears that Iraq could be slipping back into the all-out conflict that cost tens of thousands of lives in 2006 and 2007.

In particular, the 63-year-old faces strong and vocal opposition in the Sunni-dominated west and the Kurdish north, with rivals there insisting they will not agree to a third term.

Maliki blames external factors such as the war in neighbouring Syria for the surge in unrest, and says his so-called partners in government snipe at him in public and block his legislative efforts in parliament.

The run-up to the election, Iraq's first since US troops withdrew at the end of 2011, was plagued by attacks on candidates and campaign rallies, and allegations of malpractice that contributed to lower turnout in areas populated by disgruntled minority Sunnis.

But the election has nevertheless been hailed largely as a success by the international community, with the United States and United Nations praising voters for standing up to militancy.

 

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/maliki-emerges-atop-iraq/1112550.html

[Skyerydr]

So much for all the "intel" stating he's out - (POPPY)

[calkid11]

Thank you

[binnthere]

 

article 72 & 77 of the Iraqi constitution prohibit a third term, why is nobody in Iraq screaming about it ????

[zzztop]

If you guys believe ANYTHING in the Iraqi media regarding the elections right now you are going to drive yourself crazy.  I've said this on multiple threads.  Wait a few weeks to a month to see how things shake out.  As a matter of fact, you might want to wait until western media reports on it.  Thanks for the post.

[staunch]

Why is his finger purple?

[Boozer]

Maliki and Ostupid break the constution at will, and I can see Maliki winning a 3rd, just as the american put Ostupid in a 2nd term. You live but never learn. Its doom and gloom . Let Hope Turki drops 000s and soon. and the smart people ( Dinar Vet Guys ) can move on to a happy Life, GO RV !!   Best of luck to you all.

[Dee-NarZ]

Has it been officially decided yet?

Why is his finger purple?

showing he voted for himself.

 

 

 

article 72 & 77 of the Iraqi constitution prohibit a third term, why is nobody in Iraq screaming about it ????

 

I thought he was not even on the ballots.

[WheresmyRV?]

The news is so confusing.  Some articles have stated that M won and others have stated that the other parties won.

[idplzr]

Why is his finger purple?

He was feeling his Barney doll while watching teletubbies just prior to the meeting...

[djgabrielie]

No big surprise here.

 

[mcjocky1]

   When shutting off a bridge becomes more "newsworthy" than the almost daily bombings, sectarian attacks, that inflict indiscriminate maiming and death, then there is surely something wrong with the media control within Iraq.

 

   The US and the UN "if true" should investigate their sources regarding the "fair" democratic voting that really took place in country, because this is totally opposit to reports from areas that are still covered by PSC's and indeed journalists that were inside Iraq during the voting.

 

   AS stated above, it will be some time yet before any coalitions are made public, and even then don't take the first figures too seriously because those who have spent any time in this country will tell you straight," don't act on what you hear today, 'cause it sure as hell changes overnight ".

[NoviceInvestor]

I think we can kiss an expected RV good bye and expect 4 more years of the same ..

[FlintNPebbles]

No big surprise here. Adam commented that he expected Maliki to get back in.  I thought it was odd but I have learned to trust Adam's instinct and intel

[Magdalen]

Maliki hasn't won anything yet, people. The opposing blocks and defectors within his own party might very well constitute a majority of 165 votes or more. No need for gloom and doom, let's see how this plays out. Adam might be right, but maybe not.

[TigerTink]

Maliki hasn't won anything yet, people. The opposing blocks and defectors within his own party might very well constitute a majority of 165 votes or more. No need for gloom and doom, let's see how this plays out. Adam might be right, but maybe not.

 

I agree.... he has a bumpy ride ahead of him and no guaranteed result, if he expects to be back in again.  I hope he goes down in spectacular flames!

[rissas dad]

Maliki hasn't won anything yet, people. The opposing blocks and defectors within his own party might very well constitute a majority of 165 votes or more. No need for gloom and doom, let's see how this plays out. Adam might be right, but maybe not.

The most frustrating thing is that NOTHING ever seems to get fully resolved with Iraq.  Theres always a "wait and see, not settled yet" situation no matter what the subject.  Always a loose end, not over, not final, not settled, not implemented, back and forth, he said they said no they cant, on and on and on and on.  This can and probably will get drug out for months.  They are already threatening to take to the courts.  Then we have to wait on the blocs to try to join up.  Imagine how long that could take.  Never mind, its "soon" or the "coming days".

Damn.

Edited May 19, 2014 by rissas dad

[uncirculd]

Why is his finger purple?

That's how they vote.  Part of how they vote.  They all have purple on their finger to show they voted.  My problem is, please get him gone.  He stole voting cards, paid for votes and stole them.  It's so evil it ain't funny. If the devil wins we loose.

[NextYear]

IMO this really has no bearing on what we are waiting for. They've pretty much done everything that needs to be done under his rule don't forget. Everything is ready. All is needed is a word from the financial leaders that it's time and the trigger will be pulled.  The bottom line is Iraq is either or it's not no matter who's in office.  Though it would look much better for him in the end if the trigger is pulled to enter the global economy sooner rather than later if he intends to seek a fourth term.

[Magdalen]

Chill, rissas dad. We all knew that nothing would be resolved today.

[valu]

allawi had more votes when he actually won. all of the shia and other blocs don't want m. the kurds will leave Iraq if m get back in. we have known over a week

m had 92 or 93 votes. geez

[uncirculd]

Yeah M is bidding and begging but me thinks to no avail.

[sandfly]

THANKS