[IRQ]: 2003 Snap Election

[Nathan]

With political instability hitting Iraq, a decision was made by parliament to revert back to the previous constitution and call for a fresh general election. The Upper House would be once again abolished, leaving only the 329 seats of the Council of Representatives up for grabs.

Saddam Hussein's bathist party had been expelled and prevented from running for the next election due to the current tension in Tikrit. The following parties will be running for election, using a proportional representation method. Various parties had now merged, creating a much more slimed line choice of parties. Campaigning was hard and fierce but eventually the results was returned.

Now, various parties would be required to bargain and negotiate a coalition to reach the majority required of 165 seats in order to form a government, and allow President Tawfeek to appoint a Prime Minister

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Party Name​	Values​	% of popular vote​	# of seats​	Leader
Conservative Party​	Shia, centre-right, conservative	30%	99	Mohammed Naser
Labour Party​	Shia, workers rights, centrist	11%	36	Malik Haskim
Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq	Shia, Decentralism, Sistanism	10%	33	Siddiq Al-Ghazzawi
Iraqi Islamist Party​	Sunni, Conservative	15%	49	Dabir Hana​
Iraqi Progress Party​	Sunni, centrist	15%	49	Rayya Taha
Liberal Party​	Secular, liberal	2%	7	Karim Rahal
Communist Party of Iraq​	Secular, Communism	1%	3	Kardal Fayad​
Independents​	Various	1%	3
Kurdish Alliance​	Kurdish Nationalism	15%	49	Taslim Hana​
Christian Party​	Christianism, centrist​	<1%	1

 

[Nathan]

Negotiations on the next government appeared to come to a close. Backroom deals had been negotiated and coalition's struck. For Conservative party leader Mohammed Naser, the negotiations were leading to a tough decision, the Sunni Iraqi Islamist Party agreed to a deal, but refused to allow the Shia Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq. This continued to leave them 17 seats short.

The second party, the labour party had agreed a alliance with the progress party, and liberal party. But they were far short of the majority needed.

As a result, the confirmation vote has been pulled to allow a further round of negotiation.

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In a late night desperation to bring the vote to the floor. In his parliamentary office, Mohammed Naser had called Siddiq Al-Ghazzawi and Dabir Hana together for a final round of negotiation

Mohammed Naser is sat at his office desk, imposing on the two men in front of him "Dabir, what would be your price to facilitate this government? We had a strong man in the form of Saddam Hussein leading an open rebellion in Tikrit requiring a strong response from a functioning government. For the sake of the country, we must form an alliance with Siddiq before the liberals and labour agree to hand power to Kurdish nationalists determined to form an independent Kurdistan from our land"

Dabir Hana stopped for a moment to turn to the man to his left.

"We want a legal guarantee that Sunnis will not be prosecuted for their previous support of Saddam and an increase in the number of Sunnis in government. If you can agree to this, we would agree to a supply and confidence deal with the Islamic council, but not a coalition"

Siddiq Al-Ghazzawi would nod "We would agree to these terms, but we wish to ensure that Saddam is defeated as soon as possible and Iraq is not driven towards becoming a non-islamic state."

Naser stops for a moment before offering a hand shake to the men. "It is agreed, the Islamic Council will provide the votes to confirm our government and will continue to provide government supply and support in any possible confidence votes. I will call the speaker to reconvene the session now"

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The council was quickly reassembled for a vote. With a short debate session, the government was confirmed by 181 votes for and 148 votes against. The house speaker would stand to his feet.

"The vote is as followed 181 aye votes, 148 votes against. The motion is adopted. The next question is as on the order paper, that the council do now adorn for todays sitting. All those for the motion"

A large cheer for the motion would bring the day's business to a close.