Cast in doubt

Politics has broken out in Iraq, said US Vice President Joe Biden,describing his expectation that clashing sects would channel their grievances into the electoral process. However,much sectarian bloodletting has already occurred during the campaign and on election day,as Iraq voted to elect a new parliament.

The going is hard,as the nation continues to take baby steps towards a representative government. Iraqs democratic institutions are flawed and suspect,despite the palpable energy of its politics. The campaign was marred with insurgent violence and accusations of electoral irregularities. Incumbent Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki,who has steered the country since 2006,might have a hard time assembling a ruling coalition,even though he is expected to sprint ahead in the election. Back then,it took several tumultuous months for the parliament to settle on Maliki as prime minister. He has since fashioned himself as tough on matters of security,stability and Iraqi nationalism. But he is not quite a shoo-in for a second term,given the recent spate of violence and the formidable opposition of Ayad Allawi,also a Shiite,supported by a spectrum of Sunni parties. Whats more,last year the election commission disqualified some 500 candidates because of their links with Saddam Husseins Baath Party,a move widely seen as typical of Malikis maneuverings to scotch his rivals and crack down on Sunni and secular leaders.

This election is also crucial because it will indicate a path for the US to finally pull out of Iraq. Obama has maintained that his administration intends a September 1 withdrawal,irrespective of what shape the governing coalition takes. However,if the country descends to 2004 levels of ethnic strife,that plan could founder.