Reuters ahead of the curve in Iraq vote

Iraq’s parliamentary elections on March 7 were a test of the country’s ability to move away from paralysing violence, build consensus and start fulfilling its potential as a major oil exporter and investment destination. Reuters led the way as Iraqis cast their vote in defiance of bombers who sought to disrupt the poll with attacks that killed 38 people. When polls closed our team in Baghdad looked forward with an analysis ‘What next after the Iraq vote?’. As results trickled in, Reuters was ahead of Dow Jones in reporting PM Maliki taking a lead in the important locations Baghdad and Basra. Before the vote, Reuters reporters had pulled together a comprehensive package of stories looking at possible outcomes, the oil sector, Iraq’s relationship with its neighbours and the main issues facing the next government.