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Maliki's Allies Win Big in Provincial Vote

Maliki's party wins 38% of Baghdad vote, 37% in Basra

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 5, 2009 9:51 AM CST

(AP) – Allies of Iraq's prime minister finished first in races for ruling councils in Baghdad and eight other provinces, official results from last weekend's election show. Nouri al-Maliki's party won 38% of the vote in Baghdad, the election commission said. His party was followed by allies of anti-US cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and a Sunni party, with 9% each.

In Basra, the country's second-biggest city, the prime minister's followers won 37% of the vote. The Supreme Islamic Iraqi Council, the biggest Shiite party, won 11.6%. Voters chose ruling councils in 14 of the 18 provinces in the first election since December 2005.

Followers of radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, seen on poster, attend Friday prayers in the Sadr City area of Baghdad on Jan. 30, 2009. (AP Photo)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki appears in the Shiite city of Najaf yesterday. (AP Photo)

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki speaks to reporters in the Shiite city of Najaf yesterday. (AP Photo)

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Maliki's Allies Win Big in Provincial Vote

Maliki's party wins 38% of Baghdad vote, 37% in Basra

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Another Iraq Suicide Blast Kills 53 Shiites in Basra

Victims were marking a holy day

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Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

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Discussions with Baghdad 'are ongoing': spokesman

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Maliki's Allies Win Big in Provincial Vote

Maliki's party wins 38% of Baghdad vote, 37% in Basra

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Iraq • Baghdad • Nouri al-Maliki • Basra • Muqtada al-Sadr • Iraq war • Iraqi elections • provincial elections • Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Another Iraq Suicide Blast Kills 53 Shiites in Basra

Victims were marking a holy day

63 Dead as Explosions Rip Baghdad

First major violence after US troop pullout rattles Iraq

West Worried About Heavy-Handed Iraq PM

Maliki crackdown may herald return to authoritarian rule

Obama: 'Our War in Iraq Ends This Month'

President promises US will still have 'strong presence'

Pentagon Denies Jan. 1 Iraq Pullout

Discussions with Baghdad 'are ongoing': spokesman

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