Middle East Politics.Net » election http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Hezbollah and Next Elections in Lebanon http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/hezbollah-says-it-will-win-majority-in-elections/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/hezbollah-says-it-will-win-majority-in-elections/#comments Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:48:07 +0000 Samantha Foley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3507 Hezbollah’s statements that they plan to take over the Lebanese government in the upcoming election, includes talk about how they will govern the country under a national unity government and work closely with Sunni-led coalitions as well. They think they will be able to grab the majority in the Legislature in the 2009 elections and put a complete stranglehold on the other minorities. Hezbollah has veto power in the current government system that was formed in July after a political crisis that almost led Lebanon into a civil war. So what is in store for Lebanon if Hezbollah takes control? Surely the Western-supported political parties will lose there control and the fate of Lebanon will be uncertain.

Samantha Foley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/hezbollah-says-it-will-win-majority-in-elections/feed/ 0 Iraqi Elections http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/10/iraqi-elections/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/10/iraqi-elections/#comments Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:23:38 +0000 dpgallag http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=2203 In a big announcement for Iraq today, election dates have been set in 14 of the 18 provinces.  This is will seek to correct an inaccurate electoral circumstance from the first elections in 2005, where many Shia and Sunni groups boycotted the original elections.  Four provinces were left out of this election as their specific rules could not be agreed upon, but officials wanted to proceed with what they could.  The date for the elections is January 31st.  With any luck these elections can run smoothly and efficiently without delay, showing the advancement that has taken place in the country and a new era for Iraq.

Dennis Gallagher

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/10/iraqi-elections/feed/ 0 Iraqi Minorities Insulted http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/iraqi-minorities-insulted/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/iraqi-minorities-insulted/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:16:50 +0000 hackenda http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1987 Earlier this fall, minorities in Iraq spoke out against a revision to a provincial election law that struck a clause guaranteeing Christians and other minorities political representation. In response to their pleas, members of Iraqi parliament voted to allocate 6 seats to religious and ethnic minorities – 6 out of 400.

This decision was met with disappointment, criticism and in some cases outrage from Christians, Yazidis, Mandeans and Shabaks in Iraq. The UN had proposed delegating at least 12 seats for minority representation, but Iraqis in these particular subgroups were hoping for more. Although the law now moves on to a vote by the three-member Iraqi presidency council, it is unlikely that the number of seats for these minorities will increase.

Haley Hackendale

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/iraqi-minorities-insulted/feed/ 0 Obama or McCain: What Do Turks Think? http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/obama-or-mccain-what-do-turks-think/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/11/04/obama-or-mccain-what-do-turks-think/#comments Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:12:15 +0000 cicek http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=1989 In Turkey, it’s almost as heated an argument on who will be the next US president as it is around the world. There is no consensus among the Turkish nation, and until later on today we will not know who the winners of this race are. As for the general public, Senator Obama has captured all of our hearts with his charisma and leadership qualities. He truly represents the much needed change and development that the world needs. He is successful of projecting himself as the “world’s president.” Although there are many pro’s to Obama, from a Turkish perspective there is one alarming con. That is of the Armenian issue that has been well debated and still is. Ilter Turkmen, a Turkish diplomat and politician, who served as the Foreign Minister of Turkey, in the early 80′s, analyzes this situation in great depth from a Turkish perspective:  ”No referral has been made to the so-called Armenian “genocide” allegations in the document but we already know through letters Obama wrote to some Armenian institutions, that he will support them. According to an article posted on an Armenian Web site, the chief adviser on foreign policy to the Turkish Prime Ministry had contact with Obama’s advisers and said recognition of the “genocide” will cause critical damage to Turkey-U.S. relations. Is this not an untimely move? In fact, according to the Armenian Committee in the United States, a later announcement by Obama renewed his support of the Armenian claims. A presidential candidate getting together with his aides before elections, focusing on a specific matter and tying the future of the entire relationship to this matter is arguable. Nuance is critical in diplomacy and officiousness is dangerous.” Whatever the results, we all want a more stable and peaceful world. Weather that is possible or not depends on us.

Aylin Ece Cicek

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