Iraq: Government
From Grolier's The New Book of Knowledge

	The Arabic writing on the Iraqi flag means "God is Good." (Photo: Courtesy The World Flag Database & Graham Bartram)

Under its provisional constitution, Iraq is a republic based on socialism. The highest authority is exercised by the Revolutionary Command Council, whose members include the President, who is the head of state and government. The President is elected by the Revolutionary Command Council.

The Council of Ministers handles the government administration. But the Baath (“Revival”) Party remains the most-important political influence in the government. The nation’s legislature, the National Assembly, has 250 members, who serve four-year terms. Of these, 30 are appointed by the chief of state and 220 are elected by popular vote.

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