| The elections were a resounding success, turnout was clocked at better than 60% (not bad considering the alleged prevalence of the insurgency and their regard for voters as collaborators). The interim PM says he thinks this should mean the gringoes can go home in about 18 months (they don't want to leave until they are sure the local forces can handle the insurgency). It will be a few days before the votes get counted but I'd expect massive Shia and Kurd participation guarantees both of these will be well-represented. The Sunnis participated less, partly out of opposition to the process, but also due to fear for their lives. I wonder what effect low Sunni participation may have. Possibly the Sunnis will get the same number of parliamentary representatives as had they voted, just that their representatives won't be as often their own choice. The high Kurdish turnout guarantees they will be able to adequately protect their autonomy and perhaps even gain more when the new constitution is drafted. The insurgency has suffered a fatal blow, clearly what motivates them is not foreign occupation, its loss of power. |