Iraqi VP vetoes crucial election bill, throws spanner into plans for January election
Iraqi vice president Tariq al-Hashemi vetoed Iraq’s new election law, plunging plans for an 18 January poll into disarray. This, in turn, could affect plans to withdraw US troops from Iraq. According to Iraq’s constitution, either of the country’s two VPs can veto legislation. Hashemi, the Sunni vice president (there is also a Shia VP), said he objected to a clause in the law that gave only 5% of seats in the parliament to minorities and refugees abroad. Of the country’s population of 25 million, 2 million, or 8%, live abroad. Hashemi insisted parliament could amend the law and that there was still time for a ballot in January. For more, read the New York Times
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