Saudi Arabia to Hold First Elections

[Monte Smith]

Baby steps? Or sham? Tiny crack in tyranny appears in wall of Saudi absolutism.


Saudi Arabia to Hold First Elections

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, announced Monday it would hold its first elections to choose municipal councils, in what is widely seen as the first concrete political reform in the Gulf Arab state.

The announcement by the cabinet followed increased demands by reformists, intellectuals and academics on de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah to allow wider political participation, elections and freedom of expression in the conservative kingdom.

"The council of ministers decided to widen participation of citizens in running local affairs through elections by activating municipal councils, with half the members of each council being elected," the state news agency SPA said.

The kingdom, under the dynastic rule of the house of Saud since it was founded, has an appointed advisory Shura Council but had never had elections for public office at any level.

[Tom Storer]

The test will come when a municipal council votes for something the Prince doesn't like.

Apparently half the members will be elected. How much you want to bet that a tie is decided in the non-elected members' favor?

The damn thing about giving people rights is that they turn around and use them. Then you're obliged to violently repress them. Just watch.

[clinthopson]

It is to laugh. Does anyone believe those tyrants are going to give up their absolute power?

[Monte Smith]

Originally posted by Tom Storer
Just watch.

Indeed...closely.

[Gordon B]

I share the skepticism of Tom and Clint, but I'll be watching as well.

[Monte Smith]

Watch and see:

Saudi Police Fire Warning Shots, Arrest 50 at Rally

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi police fired into the air during a rare demonstration Tuesday and arrested up to 50 protesters calling for greater reforms during the kingdom's first human rights conference.

Police fired the warning shots to disperse the protesters and made the arrests, witnesses said. Authorities also set up roadblocks to prevent them from reaching the conference building, they added.