The impact of the transfer of power on the democratic process (Iraq as an example)

Abstract

The Iraqi political system is a consensual, democratic, parliamentary republic in which the authorities seek to achieve peaceful transfer of power despite the multi-party system and real competition between parties, which is one of the most important conditions for the peaceful transfer of power. When political pluralism is one of the principles of democracy, peaceful transfer through elections is the means by which citizens or the electorate express who they want to represent them in power periodically and regularly, so that power is transferred from one coalition or alliance to another without obstacles. Therefore, the peaceful transfer of power cannot be achieved in light of the monopoly of one party over the political process or in light of the disruption of the electoral process and the corruption of its management and the distortion or misleading of voters’ choices. Democracy and elections are two interconnected aspects, as democracy cannot be valid without fair elections. Democracy is a method of governance, and therefore elections are a means to achieve the system’s goal, and the absence of political opposition prevents the peaceful transfer of power, as it is one of the most important pillars of democracy, in addition to political quotas, financial and administrative corruption, and the inherited problems in the political system. Since 2003, the differences and gaps in the constitution between 2003-2005, and other obstacles that constitute a barrier to the smooth transfer of power.