By Guy Taylor
Voter turnout was down and security tight, but the overall scene was one of relative peace Sunday as Iraq held its fifth parliamentary election since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein and created an opening for democracy in the nation.
While turnout was reported at over 30% — suggesting apathy among Iraqi voters — the wider region is watching closely for signs of Baghdad’s future political direction at a moment when Iran is seen to be vying increasingly for influence in the oil-rich country.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, generally regarded as a neutral political force, will have his own future decided by the outcome, which will likely become clear over the coming days and is expected to favor the country’s Iran-aligned Shiite Islamist parties.
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