(by Pasquale Preziosa) In Iraq the new political elections have been decided for next May 15th. Iraq since 1991, the date of the first Gulf War, has not yet found a path of peace, the last battle was to free itself from ISIS.
It is time to turn the page, to give a hope of a better life to its citizens with the new elections.
Geographically, Iraq is the heart of the Middle East, 50% larger than Italy, surrounded by small and large powers on the borders, with 1600 km of border with Iran, 800km of border with Saudi Arabia, 600km with Syria, 360 with Turkey, 250 with Kuwait, 180 with Jordan. Geographically it is exposed to invasions from the north from the open Syrian desert along the Euphrates River, and from the east along the border with Iran which has few natural obstacles.
Historically, Iraq was part of the Ottoman Empire and during the First World War it was occupied by the UK, in 1932 it achieved its independence as a Kingdom and, in 1958, the status of a Republic. After the various conflicts that have occurred in the country, in 2005 Iraq, with a popular referendum, adopted a new constitution with popular elections, the last of which was held in 2014.
The economy of the country, first mainly linked to agriculture, with the discovery of oil on the border with Iran in the North, in the east and south of the country, is now mainly concentrated on oil.
The 90% of the economy of Iraq today revolves around oil with growth rates of the country that in 2016 were 11%.
In order to upgrade and upgrade the infrastructure dedicated to oil extraction, Iraq needs to make large investments in this specific sector from North to South.
From a political point of view, in the north of the country, in the Kurdish region of Iraq, it is necessary to reach agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government for the development and exports of natural resources. The country can attract foreign investments for the necessary phase of reconstruction and infrastructural and economic enhancement, but it urgently needs to present greater political and social stability and higher levels of internal security. Unemployment levels in the country are high and schooling is insufficient to provide workers and technicians to businesses in the country.
The Iraqi population, formed by different ethnic groups and religions, is very subject to the influence of countries outside of Iraq and this causes social disunity that does not allow to achieve concrete results for the country.
The new elections could be the starting point for accelerating progress towards the development of the institutions of the country that can take care of all Iraqi citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. They could be the nodal point to start the process of schooling of citizens according to the development needs of Iraqi society, launch the anti-corruption campaign and reform the rules in order to invest in the country in a more modern way.
To put the future of the Iraqi citizen at the center, regardless of his ethnicity and his religious belief, will be able to ensure more social cohesion and more support to the country to accelerate its recovery.