The election in Iraq is being seen by both Blair and Bush as vindication for invading Iraq. However, the troops will be there until the need for their presence is reviewed in June. For those of you who may wonder, here's what was voted on today. Any bets on who won?


From Al Jazeera -

The Transitional National Assembly

The assembly will be able to choose Iraq's government and will have the power to enact laws. Its first duty will be to elect a president and two deputies, who in turn will choose a prime minister, also from the assembly.

The prime minister will be the main figure of authority, exercising power over the armed forces, for example. Iyad Allawi is the current interim prime minister. He was not elected but appointed by the former US administrator, Paul Bremer.

The other primary role of the assembly is to draw up a draft constitution by 15 August 2005 and submit this to a referendum by 15 October 2005.