A vote for unity

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Considering the country's history of turmoil, the relative calm that marked Iraqi provincial elections was remarkable. But even more remarkable was the fact that clan and creed alliances seem to be fading away. Consider the following:

First, the landslide victory of Nuri Al-Maliki's bloc, named the "Alliance of the State of Law". The prime minister's ticket swept major cities such as Baghdad and Al-Basra and even had an easy win in the Shia-dominated central and southern governorates. So far ahead of the Supreme Islamic Council list of Abdel-Aziz Al-Hakim was Al-Maliki's alliance that observers considered the vote as one against a federal Iraq. The Iraqis voted against those who want the country divided into clans and sects. They voted for a united, albeit no longer totalitarian, Iraq.

Second, sectarian blocs lost to inter-sectarian alliances of the patriotic and secular brands. Such an outcome, evident even in towns housing Shia shrines, was quite extraordinary. Many had thought that the mullahs were in control of such towns once and for all. But Iraq has reasserted its secularism.

Third, although the elections were not held in the three Kurdish governorates, Kurdish candidates invariably lost in mixed governorates (Nineveh and Diyala) to Arab lists. Sunni Arab fears of secession proved too powerful to dismiss.

Fourth, pro-Iranian politicians lost across the board. This may be the beginning of a trend in which Iraqis become more assertive about their nationalism and pan-Arab sentiments. A new unity may emerge, one in which non-Arab Iraqis (Kurds and Turkomen) may feel as at home as everyone else.

Fifth, clans (and the clergy) dominated the post-Saddam Iraq, mainly because of the weakness of civil and party structures. The elections showed, however, that the power of Sunni clans, whose allegiance shifted between the Americans and Al-Qaeda, was on the wane. Even in Al-Anbar, Sunni clans failed to hold their ground.

Sixth, Iraqis voted for the state and against the militias. They voted for law against random slaughter. Now the door is wide open for a new "social contract" that would turn Iraq into a regional leader once more.

A unified Iraq is finally ridding itself of the divisiveness of its recent past. But let's not forget that these elections were contested by 14,000 candidates from 400 parties, itself a sign of the extent to which the country has fallen apart. Iraq has taken a big step forward, but the road ahead is still long and tortuous.