On January 30, 2005, Iraqis elected a 275-member transitional National Assembly that replaced the US-installed Interim Government. After two months, a government was formed and set with the task of drafting a permanent constitution. Months of negotiations led to a controversial draft constitution that was only finalized a few days before the October 15 referendum. Despite a strong Sunni showing in opposition, the constitution was approved with the provision that lawmakers can amend it after a new government is established in 2006. On December 15, 2005, Iraqis voted in a nation-wide election for a permanent, 4-year National Assembly. After four months of delay in forming a national-unity government, Nouri al-Maliki was elected Prime Minister on April 21, 2006. A month later, parliament voted in favor of a 36-member Cabinet. Following nearly three weeks of wrangling between the main parties in the governing Shiite alliance, the key government posts of defense and interior ministries were filled on June 8, 2006. Prime Minister Maliki, a Shiite Muslim, faces a perilous obstacle course. Analysts contend that a government made up of squabbling factions forced together by political expediency and US pressure is inherently weak. In addition, Maliki has inherited a weary and fragmented nation to govern. In an attempt to diminish the violence and placate the Sunni Arab insurgency, Maliki unveiled a controversial 28-point US-backed national reconciliation plan in June 2006. The plan invited insurgents to lay down their weapons and join the political process, promising an amnesty for opponents who have not committed war crimes or terrorist actions. Despite Maliki's plan for reconciliation, sectarian violence continues to rise and disputes over regionalism, oil control and amendments to Iraq's constitution threaten the already fragile unity of the government.
http://www.globalpolicy.org/political-issues-in-iraq/iraqs-government-.html
