Politics of Iraq
Before the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, officially the Ba'ath Party ruled Iraq through a nine-member RCC, which enacted legislation by decree. The RCC's president (chief of state and supreme commander of the armed forces) was elected by a two-thirds majority of the RCC. A Council of Ministers (cabinet), appointed by the RCC, had administrative and some legislative responsibilities. Most Western observers considered Iraq a dictatorship under the personal rule of President Hussein, whom they regarded as accountable to no one. The Vice-President of Iraq was Taha Yassin Ramadan.A 250-member National Assembly consisting of 220 elected by popular vote who serve a four year term, and 30 appointed by the president to represent the three northern provinces, was last elected in March 2000. Iraq is divided into 18 provinces, each headed by a governor with extensive administrative powers.
Iraq's judicial system is based on the French model introduced during Ottoman rule and has three types of lower courts--civil, religious, and special. Special courts try broadly defined national security cases. An appellate court system and the court of cassation (court of last recourse) complete the judicial structure.