The Therapy Sessions
Monday, October 13, 2003
Saudi Elections
The Saudis want everyone to know: The war had nothing to do with this. They have been planning to do this for a long time.
Saudi Arabia to Hold First Elections
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy, announced Monday it would hold its first elections to vote for municipal councils, seen as the first concrete political reform in the Gulf Arab state.
The announcement by the cabinet followed growing demands by reformists on de facto ruler Crown Prince Abdullah to allow wider political participation, elections and freedom of expression in the conservative Muslim kingdom.
In taking this action, Saudi Arabia has joined a growing trend toward experiments in democracy in other Gulf Arab countries. The decision also coincided with the opening of the first human rights conference in Riyadh.