Hilla Demonstrations Point To Problems

Hilla Demonstrations Point to problems of Legitimacy

Mariam Fam of AP notes that there has been a popular movement of protest against the American-appointed mayor of the Shiite city of Hillah. His opponents accuse him of having been a Baath party member, of having collaborated, and of being corrupt and nepotistic.

There have been similar popular protests against the governing councils in Amara and Nasiriyah.

Questions about the legitimacy of the municipal councils are crucial because they will help elect the new body that will in turn elect the transitional parliament. Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani considers the present councils and mayors undemocratic.