1. What form of government is present in your country? Who is the current leader(s)?
Iraq is based off of a federal parliamentary representative democratic republic. Which means that they are run by a federal parliament which is a legislative body that helps run the country, but they also elect a president who helps run the country using a democracy. A better definition is; A federal parliamentary democracy is whereby a country is divided into regions which retain some powers of self government, while the government manages non-local matters such as defence, customs and immigration. The most recent election was on April 30, 2014 and the new elected president is Jalal Talabani. He is the sixth and current president of Iraq, and is a leading Kurdish politician. He is the first non-Arab president of Iraq, although Abdul Karim Qasim had some Kurdish heritage.
2. What is the infrastructure of your country’s government? In other words, what are there different
parts of the government? Are there different branches, representatives? How are they elected?
They also have legislative, judicial, and executive branches just like the U.S. Leaders are elected through an election by the people. Executive branch: chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006)
cabinet: The Council of Ministers consists of the prime minister and cabinet ministers the prime minister proposes; approved by an absolute majority vote by the Council of Representatives. Legislative branch: Council of Representatives (325 seats consisting of 317 members elected by an optional open-list and representing a specific governorate (group run by governor), proportional representation system and 8 seats reserved for minorities (a group opposed to majority); members serve four-year terms); note - Iraq's Constitution calls for the establishment of an upper house, the Federation Council. Judicial branch: highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice-presidents, and at least 24 judges). Judge selection and term of office: Federal Supreme Court and Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Higher Juridical Council, a 26-member independent committee of judicial officials; FSC members appointed for life ; Court of Cassation judges appointed for 1-year probationary period and upon satisfactory performance may be confirmed for permanent holding until retirement at age 63 subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (governorate level); courts of first instance; personal status, labor, criminal, juvenile, and religious courts The president is Jalal Talabani and the Prime Minister is Nuri al-Maliki. The president and Prime Minister are both elected by an election by the citizens of Iraq.
parts of the government? Are there different branches, representatives? How are they elected?
They also have legislative, judicial, and executive branches just like the U.S. Leaders are elected through an election by the people. Executive branch: chief of state: President Jalal TALABANI (since 6 April 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Nuri al-MALIKI (since 20 May 2006)
cabinet: The Council of Ministers consists of the prime minister and cabinet ministers the prime minister proposes; approved by an absolute majority vote by the Council of Representatives. Legislative branch: Council of Representatives (325 seats consisting of 317 members elected by an optional open-list and representing a specific governorate (group run by governor), proportional representation system and 8 seats reserved for minorities (a group opposed to majority); members serve four-year terms); note - Iraq's Constitution calls for the establishment of an upper house, the Federation Council. Judicial branch: highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court or FSC (consists of 9 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of a court president, 5 vice-presidents, and at least 24 judges). Judge selection and term of office: Federal Supreme Court and Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Higher Juridical Council, a 26-member independent committee of judicial officials; FSC members appointed for life ; Court of Cassation judges appointed for 1-year probationary period and upon satisfactory performance may be confirmed for permanent holding until retirement at age 63 subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (governorate level); courts of first instance; personal status, labor, criminal, juvenile, and religious courts The president is Jalal Talabani and the Prime Minister is Nuri al-Maliki. The president and Prime Minister are both elected by an election by the citizens of Iraq.
3. How does your country interact with surrounding nations? What allies does your country have?
Since 1980, Iraq's relationships with other countries has been influenced by a number of arguable decisions by the Saddam Hussein (5th president of Iraq) administration. Hussein had good relationships with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a relationship with the United States, who supported him during the Iran-Iraq war. However, the Invasion of Kuwait and the Gulf War changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN alliance. After the Hussein administration was over ruled by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the governments that succeeded, have now tried to establish relationships with various nations. But now that there is a new president, things may change with the countries around them. Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Cuba and some other countries in South America, Afghanistan, Morroco, Russia, China, North Korea, France, Germany, India are some of their allies
Since 1980, Iraq's relationships with other countries has been influenced by a number of arguable decisions by the Saddam Hussein (5th president of Iraq) administration. Hussein had good relationships with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a relationship with the United States, who supported him during the Iran-Iraq war. However, the Invasion of Kuwait and the Gulf War changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN alliance. After the Hussein administration was over ruled by the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the governments that succeeded, have now tried to establish relationships with various nations. But now that there is a new president, things may change with the countries around them. Somalia, Sudan, Nigeria, Cuba and some other countries in South America, Afghanistan, Morroco, Russia, China, North Korea, France, Germany, India are some of their allies
4. What are current political happenings in your country? Is there any civil unrest? Are any
reelections coming up? Is your country experiencing peaceful time?
Right now many rallies are going on because of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. 8 demonstrators were shot and killed by soldiers and Iraq citizens are questioning his choices. Many citizens believe that he is targeting their minority. Insurgents have thought to ride the wave of anger against Maliki and his government, with Al-Qaeda's(terrorist group) front group in Iraq issuing an audio message on Thursday calling on Sunnis to take up arms. The most recent election was on April 30, 2014 and the new president is Jalal Talabani. Other fights are going on in Iraq, a big one is the fight for women rights. Women still rarely or never get hired for jobs, and they are acting up. Not just the women are fighting back, men are fighting so that their wives can have a better life. Women still cannot go out in public with out a man. Though this seems like a small problem, it is not. Iraq officials are doing everything they can to try and put pressure on women, but the women are not backing out.
reelections coming up? Is your country experiencing peaceful time?
Right now many rallies are going on because of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. 8 demonstrators were shot and killed by soldiers and Iraq citizens are questioning his choices. Many citizens believe that he is targeting their minority. Insurgents have thought to ride the wave of anger against Maliki and his government, with Al-Qaeda's(terrorist group) front group in Iraq issuing an audio message on Thursday calling on Sunnis to take up arms. The most recent election was on April 30, 2014 and the new president is Jalal Talabani. Other fights are going on in Iraq, a big one is the fight for women rights. Women still rarely or never get hired for jobs, and they are acting up. Not just the women are fighting back, men are fighting so that their wives can have a better life. Women still cannot go out in public with out a man. Though this seems like a small problem, it is not. Iraq officials are doing everything they can to try and put pressure on women, but the women are not backing out.