BAGHDAD - A powerful Shiite leader said on Saturday Iraqâs new government should reflect the results of last monthâs general election rather than an undemocratic consensus between political parties.The comments by Abdel Aziz al-Hakim, head of the United Iraqi Alliance (UIA) coalition, came as political wrangling between Iraqâs majority Shiites, minority Sunni Arabs and the Kurds gets underway to form the countryâs first full-term government since the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003. A consensus-based government âsignifies the end of democracy, the end of giving power to the majority and of the elections,â Hakim told the publicly-funded Al-Sabah newspaper.
The UIA coalition of Shiite parties, headed by Hakimâs Supreme Council of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq (SCIRI), appears to have won the most votes in the December 15 election, according to initial indications.
| Wotta coincidence. No wonder he wants everyone to respect democracy. This time. |
As a result, said Hakim, the country would also enjoy a viable opposition -- crucial in a democracy. âWe think there are sections of the Iraqi population who must take part, at the moment, in the planning and executionâ of the political process, he said. âTherefore, we believe their participation is necessary in the formation of the next government.â
However, the Shiite leader also defended the existence of a âgenuine opposition to complete the structure of the democratic system.â
| Until they do something he doesn't like. |