QuoteBaghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Ayad Allawi's Iraqiya coalition won the most seats in Iraq's parliamentary elections, according to results issued Friday by Iraqi election officials.
Allawi's bloc edged out Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki's State of Law coalition by two seats in the final count of Iraq's March 7 national election for the 325-member parliament, the officials said.
Allawi's bloc won 91 seats and the State of Law coalition gained 89. The Iraqi National Alliance, dominated by Shiite parties, got 70 seats and a Kurdish alliance got 43.
Now Allawi needs to begin the tough work of gathering at least 163 seats to forge a coalition government.
Allawi, who served as prime minister in 2004, is a secular Shiite whose bloc includes prominent Sunni Arab politicians, including Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi.
Al-Maliki has asked for a manual recount as members of his State of Law coalition and other blocs have alleged voter fraud as the margin of votes separating the candidates has narrowed.
He has pledged to appeal the results to the federal court.
"The electoral commission refused our demand for a manual recount and insisted on refusing despite the demand of the president and my demands as a prime minister and the commander in chief of the armed forces," al-Maliki told reporters. "The reasons behind their refusal were unknown."
In a joint statement, U.S. Ambassador Christopher R. Hill and Gen. Ray Odierno, commanding general of U.S. forces in Iraq, congratulated the Independent High Electoral Commission on completing the vote counting.
"With today's announcement, Iraq successfully passed another milestone in this historic electoral process," they said. "We support the findings of international and independent Iraqi observers, who have affirmed their confidence in the overall integrity of the election and have found that there is no evidence of widespread or serious fraud."
That view was echoed by U.S. State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley. Though the electoral commission has investigated and adjudicated a number of complaints, "international observers and the more than 200,000 domestic observers expressed their confidence in the overall integrity of the election and have found that there is no evidence of widespread or serious fraud," he said.
But the process is expected to take months, he said. Political entities may appeal to the Electoral Judicial Panel. After the appeals have been resolved, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court will certify the results. "Iraq will then move to seating a new Council of Representatives, choosing a president and forming a new government," Crowley said.
He called for all candidates and parties to accept the results, "refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and intimidation" and work to form a new government.
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/03/26/iraq.election/index.html?hpt=T2
I'm glad Allawi won, but I don't see who he's supposed to form a coalition with.
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 26, 2010, 05:56:22 PM
I'm glad Allawi won, but I don't see who he's supposed to form a coalition with.
My guess is the Kurds. al-Maliki could be a very effective opposition leader, if he keeps his cool. He irritated a lot of people by being a powerful Prime Minister, and could be one again, if he plays the game.
Quote from: grumbler on March 26, 2010, 06:49:07 PM
My guess is the Kurds.
Which gets him to 134 out of 163.
State of Law (Maliki's party) + National Iraqi Alliance (Sadr and friends) + Kurdish List could hold a majority.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F_O6yyBo1yA_o%2FS6utLOw8QWI%2FAAAAAAAAAYg%2FkzT8tCzj4PY%2Fs1600%2Firaq1.PNG&hash=068b8166ec56b025f7bfd2e555d6c7c99837a45f)
Iraqi Election Goes Dwon to the Wire (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2010/03/iraqi-election-goes-down-to-wire.html)
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Quote from: Admiral Yi on March 26, 2010, 06:50:19 PM
Quote from: grumbler on March 26, 2010, 06:49:07 PM
My guess is the Kurds.
Which gets him to 134 out of 163.
True, but then it is just picking off members of poorly-organized "parties" to get the last few votes. There are only three real parties in the elections; the rest were just coalitions.
Maliki now has the opportunity to do his country the greatest service ever. Conceding the election. I suspect that Allawi, Maliki and non-Reform Kurds make a deal.
Quote from: Fate on March 26, 2010, 07:04:17 PM
State of Law (Maliki's party) + National Iraqi Alliance (Sadr and friends) + Kurdish List could hold a majority.
True, but they don't get a chance until Alawi concedes defeat, and he won't deal with the Sadr alliance. I don't see a real problem for Alawi to form a government.
A unity government is also possible. Alawi is nothing if not a pragmatist, and al-Maliki has overall been known for pragmatism.
I'm curious why all these guys are named Al.
IIRC, it has to do with the popularity of Married with Children in the late '80's and '90s.
(https://languish.org/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.catalogs.com%2Finfo%2Fbestof%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2009%2F04%2Fpeggy_bundy1.jpg&hash=18fd07864de886450d00461d22517fd84fae01f2)
Ohhh, Al!
I loved that show. :lol:
Quote from: Martinus on March 27, 2010, 05:48:50 AM
I loved that show. :lol:
So did my mother...interesting...
It was that documentary that taught me about America.
Quote from: The Brain on March 27, 2010, 07:43:15 AM
It was that documentary that taught me about America.
:yes:
Al Bundy was the last of the Great American Heroes. :weep:
Quote from: The Brain on March 26, 2010, 07:51:38 PM
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
Can I start packing my duffle bags?
Maliki is refusing to concede, and has started to arrest the winning candidates of Allawis' bloc.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/27/v-print/1132873/malikis-forces-detain-investigate.html
Maliki's forces move against winning Sunni candidates
BAGHDAD — At least four Sunni Muslim candidates who appear to have won parliamentary seats on the winning ticket of secular leader Ayad Allawi have become targets of investigation by security forces reporting to the narrowly defeated Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, according to interviews Saturday with relatives, Iraqi security forces and the U.S. military.
I see proper Democracy has been put in place in Iraq. Thank you USA.
Idaho, really? :huh:
Quote from: The Brain on March 26, 2010, 07:51:38 PM
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED
I want a victory parade darnit!
General Odierno will ride a golden chariot in a purple toga followed by chained prisoners and carts full of oil barrels.
Quote from: Martim Silva on March 29, 2010, 07:27:37 AM
Maliki is refusing to concede, and has started to arrest the winning candidates of Allawis' bloc.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/27/v-print/1132873/malikis-forces-detain-investigate.html
Maliki's forces move against winning Sunni candidates
BAGHDAD — At least four Sunni Muslim candidates who appear to have won parliamentary seats on the winning ticket of secular leader Ayad Allawi have become targets of investigation by security forces reporting to the narrowly defeated Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, according to interviews Saturday with relatives, Iraqi security forces and the U.S. military.
I see proper Democracy has been put in place in Iraq. Thank you USA.
You can only coach children so much.
Quote from: Fate on March 29, 2010, 07:44:15 AM
Idaho, really? :huh:
Boise is the Austin of the Inland Northwest.
Quote from: garbon on March 29, 2010, 10:04:48 PM
Quote from: Martim Silva on March 29, 2010, 07:27:37 AM
Maliki is refusing to concede, and has started to arrest the winning candidates of Allawis' bloc.
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2010/03/27/v-print/1132873/malikis-forces-detain-investigate.html
Maliki's forces move against winning Sunni candidates
BAGHDAD — At least four Sunni Muslim candidates who appear to have won parliamentary seats on the winning ticket of secular leader Ayad Allawi have become targets of investigation by security forces reporting to the narrowly defeated Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, according to interviews Saturday with relatives, Iraqi security forces and the U.S. military.
I see proper Democracy has been put in place in Iraq. Thank you USA.
You can only coach children so much.
I think we could benefit from arresting some of our elected members of Congress.