IRAQI PARLIAMENT APPROVES CONTENTIOUS FEDERALISM LAW
IRAQI PARLIAMENT APPROVES CONTENTIOUS FEDERALISM LAW
By Steve Negus, Iraq Correspondent
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006
Published: October 12 2006 03:00 | Last updated: October 12 2006 03:00
Iraqi lawmakers yesterday approved by a slim majority a law that lays out a mechanism for forming autonomous federal regions, reports Steve Negus.
The law would allow Iraq's 18 governorates to hold referendums on whether to amalgamate into federal regions similar to the Kurdistan self-rule zone in the north.
The decision was taken in a session of parliament boycotted by its main critics. The 140 legislators present voted for the law, allowing it to pass with a slim majority in the 275-member parliament. Parliamentarians from the Sunni-dominated Iraq Consensus Front stayed away in an attempt to prevent a quorum, as did legislators from the radical Shia Sadrist movement and Fadhila party.
The formation of a southern federal region has been championed by the mainstream Shia Islamist parties. However, Sunnis say it will split the nation to the cost of their oil-poor heartland and allow Iran to increase its influence in the south. The Shia Sadrists oppose the law because they are ideologically committed to a strong central government.
By Steve Negus, Iraq Correspondent
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2006
Published: October 12 2006 03:00 | Last updated: October 12 2006 03:00
Iraqi lawmakers yesterday approved by a slim majority a law that lays out a mechanism for forming autonomous federal regions, reports Steve Negus.
The law would allow Iraq's 18 governorates to hold referendums on whether to amalgamate into federal regions similar to the Kurdistan self-rule zone in the north.
The decision was taken in a session of parliament boycotted by its main critics. The 140 legislators present voted for the law, allowing it to pass with a slim majority in the 275-member parliament. Parliamentarians from the Sunni-dominated Iraq Consensus Front stayed away in an attempt to prevent a quorum, as did legislators from the radical Shia Sadrist movement and Fadhila party.
The formation of a southern federal region has been championed by the mainstream Shia Islamist parties. However, Sunnis say it will split the nation to the cost of their oil-poor heartland and allow Iran to increase its influence in the south. The Shia Sadrists oppose the law because they are ideologically committed to a strong central government.
posted by Carlos T Mock @ 11:14 AM
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