Iraqis are learning the intricacies of democratic politics, as “accountability has taken root.” Coalitions are being formed and reshuffled. Pundits are speculating on party endorsements. A free press is flourishing. Millions have voted in two rounds of elections. Sunnis participated big-time in most recent elections, allaying all the fears about whether they were “engaged.” With a new constitution ratified – the vote endorsed by the UN – Iraqis are entering the final stretch in proving that democracy can work in an Arab country (the Lebanese have recently proved that, too).

Here’s some political play-by-play from the BBC (here and here):

Iraq’s ruling Shia-led coalition [United Iraqi Alliance (UIA)] has confirmed that it will contest the upcoming parliamentary election as a single bloc. …

The UIA is a broad-based coalition of over 20 groups, dominated by Shias, but also including Sunnis, Christians, Turkomans and Kurds.

…and…

The two main Kurdish parties - the Democratic Kurdistan Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan - will also be running together, they announced.

While the main Shia and Kurd alliances that contested the previous election in January remain much the same, other groups will also fight the election.

Three Sunni parties that boycotted the vote in January have set up a coalition, the Iraqi Accord Front.

The new Sunni alliance, announced on Tuesday, called on Iraqis to take part in the December’s poll and to reject any calls for a boycott.

A fourth challenge for votes will come from the Shia former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi, who has expanded his secular list to include Sunni personalities, as well as communists and liberals.