Iraqi MPs approve new election law, a key demand of protesters

Iraq’s parliament approved a new electoral law on Tuesday, a key demand of protesters to make elections fairer. However, political deadlock is still holding up the selection of an interim prime minister.

The new law passed by parliament will allow voters to elect individual lawmakers instead of choosing from party lists, and have each member of parliament represent a specific electoral district instead of groups of legislators representing entire provinces, Reuters reports.

Mass protests have gripped Iraq since October 1. Protesters have demanded not just a new electoral law, but also the removal of the entire political class and an independent prime minister with no party affiliation.