politburo diktat 2.0

Shia and Sunni lines drawn for Iraq election

MEMBERS of Iraq’s ruling Shia-led coalition patched up their differences on Thursday, a day before a deadline to register for December 15 polls where they face a challenge from a new Sunni bloc as well as old rivals.

Officials within the coalition said the United Iraqi Alliance would contest December’s parliamentary election as a single electoral list after talks late into the night resolved arguments that had threatened to break up the grouping.

On Wednesday, three leading parties from the Sunni Arab minority formed a coalition to contest the election, although other Sunni politicians are likely to campaign separately.

The two main Kurdish movements, which joined the Shia-led Alliance in the interim government, have also agreed to run on a joint ticket again, despite long-standing rivalries.

Former prime minister Iyad Allawi, a secular Shia, has put together a broad list attempting to attract secular voters from across the sectarian and ethnic divides, Allawi’s office has said. It will be formally unveiled on Saturday.

Wednesday’s alliance between the Iraqi People’s Gathering, the Iraqi Islamic Party and the Iraqi National Dialogue was the clearest sign yet that some Sunnis are turning to the ballot box after boycotting Iraq’s last parliamentary vote in January. The participation of far more Sunni Arabs in an Oct. 15 constitutional referendum was hailed by the Iraqi government and Washington, even though Sunni areas voted overwhelmingly against the constitution - which they narrowly failed to veto.

US and Iraqi officials are likely to welcome the new Sunni alliance, but it was not clear if the group has much sway over hardline Sunni insurgents fighting the Shia and Kurdish-led government and the US occupying force. Nor did it appear to have the backing of all mainstream Sunni politicians.