Iraqi lawmakers adjourned for a month today “after failing to agree on a provincial election law.” The development is “a setback to U.S. hopes for reconciliation among rival communities” as it casts “doubt on whether U.S.-backed balloting can be held in the country’s 18 provinces this year.” The deadlock was largely caused by Kurdish opposition to “a power-sharing formula” for the oil-rich city of Kirkuk:
The decision to go into summer recess came after lawmakers failed to break a deadlock over Kurdish opposition to a power-sharing formula for the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk despite days of intense negotiations and heavy pressure from U.S. and U.N. officials.
Officials involved in preparations for the elections — which the U.S. believes are necessary for national reconciliation — have said such a delay would likely push voting to next year.
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